Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2021
752. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made in implementing the undertaking in the Programme for Government to deliver a rural development programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57563/21]
View answerLEADER is a multi-annual programme for rural development co-funded by the EU through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The programme is based on a community-led approach to rural development and plays an important role in supporting communities and enterprises in progressing job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects at local level.
Preparations for the design and delivery of the next LEADER programme from 2023-2027 are underway. This includes an independent review of the current programme, which is nearing completion, ongoing engagement by my officials with stakeholders on the design of the next LEADER programme and working alongside officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine in developing the next CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, which LEADER will form part of.
The commitment in the Programme for Government referred to by the Deputy will be considered as part of that work, having regard, inter alia, to the provisions of the EU Regulations governing the LEADER programme, the ongoing independent review, and the outcome of consultations with all relevant stakeholders.
