Written Answers. - Leader Programmes.
Theresa Ahearn
Question:
87
Mrs. T. Ahearn
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
if the national rural development programme will be implemented on 1 July 2000; when the Leader+ programme will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6354/00]
The deadline for the completion of the Leader II programme has been extended to 31 December 2000 where requested by individual groups.
The European Commission is finalising the draft guidelines on Leader+, consequent on the recent receipt of the observations of the European Parliament and their acceptance by the member states. It is expected that the Commission will publish the definitive guidelines text shortly.
Member states will take account of the guidelines when drawing up their Leader+ operational programmes for submission to the Commission with a view to commencement of the Leader+ programme as soon as possible. The Commission over a period of months will give detailed consideration to the programmes to ensure that they meet the necessary standard for approval.
In tandem with Leader+, a Leader mainstream programme is being funded under the national development plan. As with other measures provided for in the national development plan, approval by the European Commission is necessary to enable commencement of arrangements for the establishment of Leader mainstream activity.
Pending EU clearance for Leader+ activity and Leader mainstream activity under the national development plan, it is not possible to define the precise arrangements for delivery. It is clear, however, that the Commission's intention is that funding for Leader+ will be confined to a limited number of rural areas and that the essential aim of the Leader plus measure will be to encourage the emergence and testing of new approaches to integrated and sustainable development.
In the determination of local groups for delivery of all new programmes, the report of the task force on the integration of local government and local development systems requires that attention be given to the avoidance of overlap between agencies including Leader groups and to explore mechanisms capable of combining rural development and rural partnership activities in rural disadvantaged areas, specifically.
I recognise the importance of continuity in the delivery of Leader+ and Leader-type rural development programmes and I acknowledge the real improvement and benefit which has accrued to local communities under Leader I and Leader II. I am concerned to ensure that every effort is being made to commence project development under the two new Leader measures.
In this context, it may be possible to progress the mainstream Leader measure which will apply nationwide at a more rapid rate than Leader+ will allow and I am examining this possibility.
Ulick Burke
Question:
88
Mr. U. Burke
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
if his attention has been drawn to concern at the delay in implementing the new Leader+ programme; if he will give assurance that persons employed under Leader II will be retained in employment until the new scheme is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6355/00]
The deadline for the completion of the Leader II programme has been extended to 31 December 2000 where requested by individual groups.
With regard to Leader+ which will operate for the period 2000-06, the European Commission is finalising the draft guidelines consequent on the recent acceptance by the member states of the European Parliament amendments.
Based on these guidelines, member states will draw up operational programmes for Leader+ for forwarding to the Commission seeking approval with a view to commencement of the Leader+ programme as soon as possible. The Commission over a number of months, will subject these programmes to scrutiny to ensure that they meet the requisite standard for approval.
Additionally, a Leader mainstream programme is being funded under the national development plan. As with other measures provided for in the national development plan, approval by the European Commission is necessary to enable commencement of arrangements for the establishment of Leader mainstream activity.
Pending EU clearance for Leader+ activity and Leader mainstream activity under the national development plan, it is not possible to anticipate the precise arrangements for delivery. It is clear, however, that the Commission's intention is that funding for Leader+ will be confined to a limited number of rural areas and that the essential aim of the Leader+ measure will be to encourage the emergence and testing of new approaches to integrated and sustainable development.
In the determination of local groups for delivery of the operational programmes, the report of the task force on the integration of local government and local development systems requires that attention be given to the avoidance of overlap between agencies including Leader groups and to explore mechanisms capable of combining rural development and rural partnership activities in rural disadvantaged areas specifically.
I recognise the importance of continuity in the delivery of Leader+ and Leader-type rural development programmes. It is clear that the work done by the local action groups under the Leader I and Leader II programmes has significantly benefited local communities. I am ensuring that every effort is being made with regard to the earliest commencement of the two new Leader measures.
In this context, it may be possible to progress the mainstream Leader measure which will apply nationwide at a more rapid rate than Leader+ will allow. I am currently examining this possibility.
