Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 16 May 1995

Vol. 452 No. 8

Written Answers. - Leader II Programme.

Desmond J. O'Malley

Ceist:

29 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the measures, if any, he proposes to adopt to ensure that projects submitted for funding under the Leader II Rural Development Initiative will be subjected to a minimum of bureaucracy and red tape so that a genuine bottom up system will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8763/95]

James Leonard

Ceist:

45 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if it is proposed to widen the scope of grants for projects under the Leader II programme. [88214/95]

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

49 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the percentage of total money from Leader II expected to be paid on the new inspectorate and other administrative costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8797/95]

Gerard C. Connolly

Ceist:

58 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the criteria that will be required in regard to the Leader II Programme recently announced. [8789/95]

Hugh Byrne

Ceist:

63 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to match the EU allocation with comparative exchequer funds in order to maintain the momentum of the Leader Programme. [8787/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 45, 49, 58 and 63 together.

In my announcement of 2 May last, I set out the details of the selection groups for Leader II and their indicative funding allocations. The budget for Leader II is £77 million — £54 million EU aid, £23 million Irish Exchequer. This represents a 70/30 EU and national financial package in line with all EU Community Initiatives being operated here.

The eligible categories of expenditure under Leader II are practically the same as for the first programme, namely technical support for rural development, training and recruitment assistance, rural tourism, small firms, craft enterprises and local services and exploitation and marketing of local agricultural, forestry and fishing products.

The EU Commission has, however, added a further category of activity described as "preservation and improvement of the environment and living conditions" which includes the renovation and development of villages and the existing architectural heritage, support for cultural products linked to rural development and disposal and recycling of waste.

My Department will shortly be providing detailed operating guidelines to groups to assist them in the implementation of the new programme.

In my announcement of the Leader II groups I said that arising from my Department's experience of operating Leader I, the independent evaluation of that programme and the Comptroller and Auditor General's recent report of his Value-for-Money Examination, Leader II would be more tightly administered. I do not regard the additional requirements as excessively bureaucratic. They should be seen as increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the programme, and ensuring transparency in accountability of public funding.

My Department's staffing costs, both administrative and inspectorate will not be borne on the Leader budget. Technical assistance in the form of improved computerisation facilities and the costs of on-going, independent evaluation will however be borne on the budget, for which purposes £1.5 million has been set aside.