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 2000-2006, the European Commission is finalising the draft guidelines consequent on the recent acceptance by the member states of the European Parliament amendments. It is expected that the finalised guidelines will be published shortly.
Based on these guidelines, member states will draw up operational programmes for Leader+ for forwarding to the commission seeking approval to commence the Leader+ programme as soon as possible. Over a number of months, the commission 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+ and the Leader mainstream programme 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 efforts and work done by the local action groups under the Leader I and Leader II programmes has significantly benefited local communities. I acknowledge especially the contribution made by many individuals on a voluntary basis. The earliest commencement of the two new Leader measures is receiving full attention in my Department.
