Rory O'Hanlon
Ceist:77 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when he expects the new Leader+ programme to be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16097/00]
Written Answers. - Leader Programmes.
The draft guidelines for the Leader+ programme were adopted by the European Commission last month.
My Department is currently in the process of preparing the operational programmes for the implementation of both the Leader+ and the national Leader programmes for submission to the European Commission. It is hoped to advertise for expressions of interest from local groups regarding programmes shortly.
Consultation with relevant parties is required by the European Commission in the preparation of the draft operational programmes and a significant degree of consultation has already taken place. The consultative process is being accelerated and a number of advisory seminars are also being arranged to provide information to prospective participants in the new Leader arrangements.
Now that the guidelines for Leader+ are in place, I am concerned to ensure that the draft operational programmes for Leader+ and indeed, the mainstream Leader programme proposed under the national development plan are finalised quickly and forwarded to the Commission with a view to obtaining clearance and the prompt establishment of Leader funding activity to 2006. While the European Commission procedure provides for a period of months for formal negotiation and clearance of programmes, I will be pressing for acceptance of our programmes at the earliest time possible.