Michael Ring
Question:117 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the progress on the Leader+ programme; and when it will be fully operational. [29942/00]
Written Answers. - Leader+ Programme.
My Department has lodged the operational programme for Leader+ with the European Commission for assessment and approval. Also, in accordance with the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, the Leader+ programme was presented to the Special North-South EU Programmes Body for its endorsement in tandem with the Northern Ireland Leader programme.
A period of five months is provided for to facilitate the Commission's consideration of the programme prior to deciding on approval. I am pushing for early assessment of the programme in expectation that the Commission will issue its approval in the early months of the new year.
In addition, Commission approval is required for the mainstream national rural development programme. The Commission has indicated that given the complementarity of that programme with that of Leader+, approval should issue contemporaneously.
The determination of groups and their financial allocations will be established as quickly as is feasible following receipt of the Commission's approval of the two Leader programmes.