Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 4

Written Answers. - Leader Programmes.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

52 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reasons for the delay in making arrangements in relation to Leader funding; when funding arrangements will be finalised; and when it will be possible to have applications made and accepted in this regard. [13345/00]

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

The funding of current projects under the Leader II programme continues in operation and is scheduled to conclude in the period July to December of this year in accordance with the particular business plans of the Leader groups.

Having regard to the likely time period needed by the European Commission for finalisation and adoption of the guidelines pertaining to its new rural development initiative, Leader+, and the preparation and commencement of new Leader programmes, I secured interim administrative funding for Leader groups to 31 December 2000.

Following a lengthy period of consultation involving member states and including the European Parliament, the European Commission has recently adopted the guidelines for Leader+. The guidelines outline the template for the drafting by member states of operational programmes to be submitted to the Commission for approval and clearance.

The guidelines provide for three main actions, involving integrated territorial strategies of a pilot nature, support for co-operation between rural territories and networking of development activity. In regard to pilot strategies, groups will be expected to operate under priority themes with special emphasis given to approaches enhancing employment opportunities for women and young people. Also, under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, provision is made for an area based mainstream Leader-type programme which will complement the Leader+ programme. This requires the drafting and for warding of a separate operational programme for Commission approval.

The total Leader funding for the period 2000-2006 is in excess of £110 million. The funding is more or less equally divided between Leader+, where £35.4 million is provided by the European Commission, and the mainstream Leader-type measure. The overall allocation can be compared to £98 million allocated to the Leader II programme.

Consultation with relevant parties is a key element in preparing the draft operational programmes and a significant degree of consultation has already taken place. The consultative process is being accelerated and a number of advisory seminars are also being arranged on a regional basis to provide information to prospective Leader groups.

Now that the guidelines for Leader+ are in place, I am concerned to ensure that the draft operational programmes for Leader+ and mainstream Leader are finalised quickly and forwarded to the Commission with a view to obtaining clearance and the prompt establishment of Leader funding activity to 2006. The European Commission procedure provides for a period of months for formal negotiation and clearance of programmes and I will be pressing for acceptance of our programmes at the earliest time possible.