Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 July 2021
119. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when and the way the Government will move on its commitment in the Programme for Government to support independent local action groups not reporting to the local authority or its LCDC subcommittees in the Leader application process given that the CAP budget is agreed by the member states. [38312/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the negotiations on the CAP regulations were provisionally agreed at the Council of Ministers Meeting on 28/29 June. Technical discussions to finalise the legal text will take place under the Slovenian Presidency.
The Programme for Government contains a number of commitments in relation to the LEADER Programme, including a commitment to promote the role of independent Local Action Groups and supported by Local Community Development Communities.
Over the past number of months, officials in my Department have been engaging with stakeholders such as the Irish Local Development Network and the Local Government Management Agency, in the design of the next LEADER Programme. This consultation will continue as the process of agreeing the new CAP Strategic Plan with the EU Commission develops.
The question of the administrative structures for the delivery of the 2023-2027 programme will be considered as part of the design of the next CAP Strategic Plan, having regard, inter alia, to the provisions of the EU Regulations governing the structure of future LAGs, a review of the 2014-2020 programme and the outcome of consultations with all relevant stakeholders.
