Under the Leader II programme, a total of 37 groups were appointed and these delivered the Leader II programme nationwide, providing grant assistance to some 10,000 projects to benefit people and families in rural areas in the period to 2000.
In conformity with the well established bottom up strategy of Leader activity defined by the European Commission, Leader II local action group companies had authority in decision making in relation to the assessment of applications and the allocation of grant assistance for projects in their own rural areas. Individual groups have the most current information to hand and can provide financial data and information on projects as published in the annual report of each group.
My Department's database compiles certain data regarding groups and projects based on the most recent information from groups. The very extensive information sought by the Deputy spans 37 groups and some 10,000 projects nationwide. My Department will compile the information currently on the database regarding each project, comprising hundreds of pages, and will forward this by letter to the Deputy. The material will be forwarded as soon as possible. Should the Deputy require further information or clarification he is welcome to contact my Department.
Under public financial procedures, the Comptroller and Auditor General can examine the accounts of Leader companies and make a report to the Committee of Public Accounts. In the operating rules governing Leader, the groups are apprised of the Comptroller and Auditor General access. As regards value for money, the Comptroller and Auditor General has examined the Leader programme and other local development initiatives, inter alia, finding Leader administration expenditure as acceptable.
