Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 6

Written Answers. - Leader Programmes.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

226 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the details of funding to be provided for the Leader+ programme; when this funding will be in place and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8909/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

Under the national development plan, funding of the order of £110 million will be available to support Leader-type activity in the period 2000-2006. Some £35.4 million of this is to be provided by the EU in respect of the Leader+ programme. The balance will come from the national Exchequer and will comprise national co-funding of £20 million for Leader+ as well as support for a mainstream Leader-type measure. 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.

I recognise the importance of continuity in the delivery of the Leader rural development programmes in the period 2000-06 and I acknowledge that the work effected under Leader I and Leader II has very significantly benefited local communities. Accordingly, every effort is being made to ensure the earliest implementation of the two new Leader measures. The timing of this will depend in large measure on the date of securing the necessary approval of the European Commission in respect of the draft operational programmes governing the Leader+ programme and the national Leader programme. Drafting of the operational programmes will commence when the Leader+ guidelines document is published by the Commission and this is expected shortly.

Groups have been funded to the 30 June 2000 Leader II completion date and I am conscious that a further period will elapse before the coming on-stream of the new Leader measures. Accordingly, I have secured interim funding in respect of the period from 30 June 2000 to 31 December 2000 to assist with the administrative costs of existing groups. Such funding will be made available to groups who submit a plan document demonstrating a realistic requirement. Any funding of existing groups will be without prejudice to the selection of groups for the delivery of the new Leader activity.