John V. Farrelly
Ceist:72 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has received a submission from an organisation (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10258/01]
Written Answers. - Leader Programmes.
The rural development group concerned submitted business plans by way of application to enter the selection process for delivery of both Leader programmes in the period to 2006.
Ireland's Leader+draft operational programme was submitted by my Department to the Commission last November in accordance with Commission guidelines. A period of five months is provided for examination of the programme by the Commission in the context of determining approval. My Department is in ongoing discussion with the Commission so as to provide clarifications and additional material requested and the draft programme has passed a number of evaluation stages within the Commission. Discussion will continue for a number of weeks and will clear the way for programme approval. At the same time, final approval of the Leader National Rural Development Programme will be given.
In parallel, the selection procedure is under way to select the groups to deliver the programmes. My Department's selection committee will carry out the selection process. The commitee will assess the business plans and group performance factors as well as having regard to the conclusions of the independent consultant appointed to evaluate the plans and the text of the Commission decision giving programme approval. The committee will make its report to Government with recommendations and the definitive selection of groups and the allocation of funding will be decided by Government.
Meanwhile, I have applied interim funding amounting to £3.2 million on a without prejudice basis to existing Leader II groups including the group concerned to help maintain core resources such that Leader activity and funding of sustainable projects can commence immediately when the Leader programmes come on stream.