Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 1 Mar 2001

Vol. 531 No. 5

Written Answers. - Leader Programmes.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

71 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the likely date that approval will be granted by the European Commission for the Leader+ operational programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6335/01]

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

72 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when final approval will be granted by the Commission for the national rural development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6336/01]

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

73 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if the independent consultant, who was appointed to examine the 89 business plans submitted for the Leader programme, has made his recommendations to the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6337/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 72 and 73 together.

The EU Leader+ draft operational programme was submitted by my Department to the European Commission in November last in accordance with the Commission's guidelines. Under the approval procedure, the Commission has a period of five months in which to examine the programme. My Department is in ongoing contact with the Commission as regards points of clarification which have been sought.

The intention is to gain Commission acceptance and programme approval in the coming weeks. At the same time, final approval will be given for the Leader national rural development programme. The process of selecting groups to deliver the programmes is proceeding in parallel. The independent consultant contracted to assess the business plans which were submitted by rural development groups by way of application is assessing the plans and will make recommendations to my Department's selection committee. The committee will make a report to Government and the formal appointment of the appropriate number of groups and the allocation of funding will be decided by Government, having regard to the Commission's approval when received.