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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 3

Written Answers. - Leader Programmes.

Denis Naughten

Question:

34 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason for the delay in establishing Leader+; when funding will be put in place for companies under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9656/00]

The European Commission is currently finalising the Leader+ draft guidelines document, having regard to the observations of the European Parliament which have been accepted by the member states. It is expected that the Commission will shortly issue the approved guidelines. Based on these guidelines, member states will draw up operational programmes for Leader+ for forwarding to the Commission for approval with a view to commencement of the Leader+ programme as soon as possible. The Commission over a period of some months will subject the programmes to detailed examination to ensure in particular that they show evidence of significant innovation to the requisite standard for approval.

Under the national development plan, funding of the order of £110 million will be available to support Leader-type activity in the period 2000-06. 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 2000-2006 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.
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 outlining their needs in this area. Any funding of existing groups will be without prejudice to the selection of groups for the delivery of the new Leader activity.
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