Alan M. Dukes
Question:252 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the funding arrangements for the new Leader programme will be announced; and when they will be put into effect. [8032/01]
Vol. 532 No. 4
252 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the funding arrangements for the new Leader programme will be announced; and when they will be put into effect. [8032/01]
The EU Leader+ draft operational programme was submitted by my Department to the European Commission in November last in accordance with the Commission's guidelines. Under the approval procedure, the Commission has a period of five months in which to examine the programme. My Department is in ongoing contact with the Commission as regards points of clarification which have been sought.