Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 6

Written Answers. - Leader Programmes.

Ulick Burke

Question:

174 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans, if any, he has to increase grant assistance under the new Leader+ towards agricultural based or related projects over the percentage granted to these projects during the Leader II scheme; and his views on whether more attention should be focused on rural based projects in order to stem rural depopulation and the flight from the land. [10729/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development

(Mr. Walsh): As I outlined in Parliamentary Question No. 154 on 5 April, the European Commission is at present finalising the guidelines which will govern the Leader+ initiative and the outcome is expected shortly.

Pending the publication of the definitive guidelines document and the acceptance by the European Commission of the detailed proposals which I will be putting forward in relation to both Leader+ and the national Leader measure, it is not possible to indicate the rates of grant which will apply to categories of projects and activities.

Under the EU Agenda 2000 agreement, rural development strategy is given the status of "Second Pillar", in recognition that the future of agriculture and rural localities is dependent on much more than farming. In that context, I refer to the White Paper on Rural Development published in August last which outlines in a comprehensive way the Government's strategy for the future of rural areas. The National Development Plan, 2000-2006, provides the monetary resource to deliver on that strategy. The substantial £6.7 billion allocated in the plan under the broad heading of rural development underscores the emphasis on developing rural areas to full potential and demonstrates the commitment to achieving a balanced development across the country.