Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2016
225. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to alter the structure of the delivery of the Leader programme and the local partnership arrangements and to increase funding to the Leader programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11348/16]
View answerI have no plans to alter the delivery structures or partnership arrangements under the new LEADER programme. These arrangements have been determined locally in line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development.
Two broad implementation approaches have emerged as part of the ongoing LEADER local development strategy selection process. In this regard, the programme will be implemented across the 28 LEADER areas by a mix of local development companies on the one hand and by Local Community Development Committees working in partnership with local development companies as implementing partners on the other.
The allocation of additional funding to LEADER groups, which is referred to in the new Programme for Government, will be considered in due course. I believe there is sufficient funding allocated under the programme to meet demand in 2016 and 2017. It is likely, therefore, that the allocation of additional funding will be considered for the latter years of the programme when applications for funding and expenditure traditionally reach their peak. Notwithstanding this, any additional allocation of funding to LEADER groups will be made in accordance with EU rules and with a view to securing optimum outcomes for rural areas.
