Vol. 510 No. 3
71 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the future Government and Commission policy on the Leader programme; if the present Leader companies will be left in place in order that all existing appropriate areas will be carried by the nearest programme; the estimated budget, including EU and national contributions, which will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22258/99]
Leader is the EU community initiative for rural development. Draft European Commission guidelines on a new Leader Initiative, termed Leader +, to which the Commission is committed under Agenda 2000, were circulated recently. My Department is participating in discussions on the guidelines and the Commission has indicated that it will finalise its new rural development initiative later this year. Until final details are agreed, I am not in a position to comment on the areas in which the new programme will operate, or the basis on which groups might be approved for funding.
The EU has allocated £35.4 million for the implementation of Leader + in Ireland. National funding for rural development is being considered in the context of the national development plan.
