Under the EU regulatory framework governing the Leader element of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, each EU Member State must conduct an open and transparent process to select both the Local Development Strategies and the Local Action Group(s) for each sub-regional area. Accordingly, my Department is conducting a two stage process. The first stage, which is an Expressions of Interest (EOI) stage, was recently launched and any entity wishing to be considered as a Local Action Group for their area has until 15 May 2015 to submit an EOI. Further details are available on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/Community/RuralDevelopment/EURuralDevelopment/RuralDevelopmentProgrammeLEADER2014-2020/SelectionProcessforLEADER2014-2020/.
Entities successful in the first stage of the process will be invited and supported in Stage Two of the process, which is the design of a Local Development Strategy for their area. I expect that some Local Development Strategies will be operational and funding available by Autumn 2015.
My Department is currently developing the management systems and procedures, which will govern the new programme. I envisage that details of the arrangements that will apply for the new programme, including in relation to the rates of aid and grant ceilings referred to in the Question, will be available before the commencement of the second phase of the Local Development Strategy selection process in the early part of the third quarter of 2015.
