Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2016
121. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when it is hoped to have a Leader contract signed to deliver the Leader programme in Connemara and the islands; the amount of money available for the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30132/16]
View answerFollowing a competitive process for the implementation of the LEADER 2014-2020 programme in Co. Galway, a Local Development Strategy submitted by Forum Connemara was selected by an independent Selection Committee. The selected strategy covers the municipal district of Connemara, including Inisbofin and the Aran Islands.
A Funding Agreement was issued to Forum Connemara on 6 October 2016 for the delivery of the LEADER programme in the area covered by its strategy. The amount allocated for this strategy is €4,540,033. I anticipate that this Agreement will be signed in the coming weeks and that the new LEADER Programme will be operational in Connemara and the islands from 1 November 2016.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that an expression of interest process for the delivery of LEADER in the remaining rural areas of Galway was launched by my Department on 10 October 2016. A sum of €7.7 million will be available under this call.
