Dan Neville
Question:84 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the new Leader funding will be made available. [15389/01]
Vol. 537 No. 1
84 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the new Leader funding will be made available. [15389/01]
In accordance with EU Commission guidelines, my Department submitted the Leader+ draft operational programme to the European Commission in November last. The examination for approval has progressed through a number of Commission procedural stages and my Department is in ongoing negotiation with a view to finalisation and obtaining approval of the operational programme within the next number of weeks. Approval of the Leader+ programme will also clear the way for commencement of the Leader national rural development programme.