Vol. 564 No. 5
433 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will consider appointing facilitators to assist groups in making applications for funding under the various rural development programmes, for which his Department has responsibility. [9835/03]
My Department operates a number of rural development programmes including the CLÁR programme, the Leader programmes and rural development initiatives under the PEACE and INTERREG programmes.
In regard to CLÁR, the measures introduced under the programme were decided after consultation with the communities in the areas concerned. In general, the measures are implemented by local authorities or other official agencies and not by my Department. This ensures efficiency and effectiveness as well as meeting the needs of the people in CLÁR areas.
The Deputy will be aware that the Leader programmes are EU initiatives that provide approved local action groups with public funding (EU and national) to implement multi-sectoral business plans for the development of their own areas.
These Leader programmes are operated in accordance with the bottom-up philosophy of rural development, with the local Leader group being the decision-making authority in relation to approving actions falling within its business plan.
The Leader groups who are currently operating the Leader programmes offer every assistance possible to interested groups and potential applicants for these particular rural development grants. Officials of my Department are also on hand to assist and advise Leader groups on the rural development schemes and procedures in place for them.
The EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation is a distinctive European Union Structural Funds programme aimed at reinforcing progress towards a peaceful and stable society and to promote reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border region of Ireland. INTERREG is an EU community initiative designed to support cross border co-operation, social cohesion and economic development between the regions of the European Union.
434 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps he intends to take, within the current EU regulations, to simplify the procedures governing the application for funding under the various rural development programmes. [9836/03]
The Deputy will understand that my Department operates a number of rural development schemes and programmes. He will be aware that programmes such as the current Leader, PEACE and INTERREG programmes are EU funded and therefore that the EU Commission rules and regulations must be fully adhered to. Within the detailed guidelines and regulations laid down by the EU, my Department is as reasonable as possible and is committed to the simplest application procedures possible across the various schemes and programmes.
In addition, arising from the White Paper on Supporting Voluntary Activity, and following the setting up of this Department, the Government is committed to an ongoing review of funding schemes, so as to change from the existing highly fragmented funding and support schemes to a more simplified system.
Question No. 435 answered with Question No. 428.
