Ireland has a much higher percentage of its territory and population living in rural areas than the EU27 average. Our Rural Future 2021-2025, Ireland’s rural development policy is cognisant of this and highlights the need for a flexible approach to address the needs of different rural areas in a meaningful way. The policy recognises the reality that many medium and large towns are intrinsic to sustaining viable rural communities while also having an interdependence with their rural hinterlands.
The Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) defined rural Ireland as ‘all areas located beyond the administrative boundaries of the five largest cities’ and so encompassed open countryside, as well as small, medium and large towns. This definition is consistent with Our Rural Future’s requirement to adopt a holistic and place-based approach to rural development. This is the definition which has been included in the draft programme outline for LEADER in the draft CAP Strategic Plan 2023 -2027. This is the the same definition as used in the curent Rural Development Programme.
Preparations for the design and delivery of the next LEADER programme from 2023-2027 are well underway. My Department has commissioned an independent review of the delivery structures for the current programme, which is nearing completion. This review will draw on the experience of all stakeholders in the 2014 to 2020 LEADER programme and help to underpin effective scheme design for the new LEADER programme.
Decisions relating to the distribution of funding to the Local Action Groups will form part of the programme design, which is currently ongoing. The draft outline of the new CAP Strategic Plan is currently the subject of a public consultation. This consultation process is being administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and closes on 8 December. Ongoing stakeholder consultation will, however, form part of the LEADER design process in the coming months.
