Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2016
464. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the Leader programme will be approved for County Longford and contracts signed for delivery of programmes, considering the long delays already suffered and the large number of groups who are waiting for funding as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20757/16]
View answerLast Friday 8th July 2016, I launched the LEADER programme in Virginia, Co Cavan, where I signed funding agreements with 20 local action groups. The delivery of LEADER may commence immediately in those areas where funding agreements have been signed and the local action groups can now receive applications for funding.
I am also confident that funding agreements will shortly be in place in all LEADER sub-regional areas. This includes Longford, in respect of which additional information and clarifications have been requested by the Independent Selection Committee established to review and select the strategies submitted in each area. The Committee will meet again in early August to facilitate the finalisation of the remaining strategies, including the strategy for Co Longford.
