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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 1

Written Answers. - Leader Programmes.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

140 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the moneys allocated in each year from 1996 to date for the Leader programmes in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6024/02]

Leader is the EU Community Initiative for rural development that provides approved local action groups with public funding, EU and national, to implement multi-sectoral business plans for the development of their own areas. In accordance with the bottom up philosophy of the initiative, the local Leader group is the decision-making authority in relation to approving actions falling within its business plan. The approval of grants by groups is made within detailed operating rules drawn up by the Department and approved by the EU Commission. There is particular emphasis on community development in the programme and each of the groups is obliged to implement a programme in its area to encourage, support and facilitate the process of rural development, especially at community level.

The Leader II programme was introduced in May 1995 and continued until the end of 1999 but final payments under the programme continued until the end of 2001. Leader II had a total allocation of £93 million of EU and national funding for the period.

Leader in the period 2000-2006 is being delivered in two ways, the new EU Initiative Leader+ and the national rural development programme (NRDP). Public funding of almost €150 million has been allocated to the new Leader programmes over the period.

The following table outlines the allocations made to the two Leader groups operational in the Donegal area.

Group

Leader II

Leader+

Donegal Local Development Company Limited

€3.986 million(£3.139 million)

€5.004 million

Inishowen Rural Development Limited

€2.442 million(£1.923 million)

€3.057 million

Following the conclusion of activity under the Leader II programme, the two Leader groups operating in the Donegal area are now operating the Leader+ programme and are accepting proposals for project funding.
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