Trevor Sargent
Ceist:20 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the funding plan and time frame for the Leader+ and national rural development programme. [18788/01]
Other Questions. - Leader Programmes.
The draft Leader+ operational programme continues to be under examination by the EU Commission. The examination process has progressed through a number of Commission procedures and my Department is in negotiation with it with a view to finalising and securing approval of the programme. This is now anticipated within a short number of weeks. EU Commission approval of the Leader+ programme will also clear the way for start-up of the Leader national rural development programme.
In parallel, the selection of local rural development groups to deliver new Leader activity is proceeding apace. Pending this, the interim funding arrangement to Leader groups without prejudice as to the appointment of groups will remain in place. I established the arrangement to help maintain core resources so as to sustain momentum and facilitate early evaluation and funding of projects under the new Leader programmes when commenced.
There will be a total of £117 million in public funding available for Leader activity in Ireland in the period to 2006. An amount of £58 million is available under Leader+ with £38 million being provided by the EU and the balance being provided by the national Exchequer. Under the mainstream national Leader programme there is a total of £59 million available, with £25 million being provided by the EU and the balance coming from the national Exchequer.
Is it correct that the decision on group selection for the Leader+ and the national rural development programme was due in May or early June this year, as is the understanding of those who have been asking me about it? Does the Minister agree that the delay in making a decision on Leader+, in particular, has resulted in loss of momentum and damage to community initiatives? Will he take into consideration that community initiatives are stagnating in areas such as the one I represent in County Dublin as they wait for news of Leader+? Even with 72% of the total area of Dublin they contain just 7% of the population and some of the finest agricultural area in the country. Will the Minister recognise the importance of making a quick decision on Leader+ to avoid any further stagnation?
I fully recognise the importance of a speedy decision and it is for that reason that the Department is doing the selection while awaiting the final decision from the Commission in Brussels. This country is well ahead in this process compared to other countries. Most of them are waiting until the decision comes from Brussels before starting their selection process. We cannot move ahead of the final decision from Brussels. We are at the top of the list awaiting the decision. I am pushing forward the parallel process of selecting the various groups and we have just received a report from the consultant regarding an evaluation of the groups. It is a pity that one Leader programme does not run seamlessly into another.
What queries has the Commission raised in regard to Ireland's application for Leader+? Have there been any delays arising from responses to queries? Will the Minister outline the criteria used by his Department in selecting groups? Are they multiple criteria or are they generally phrased? Does the Department intend to accept in full the consultant's recommendations as to selection or will there be a margin for discretion on the part of the Minister?
The decision will be a Cabinet and not a ministerial one. There has been an evaluation and a selection committee will be involved in making recommendations. In relation to criteria there are two programmes involved, Leader+ and Leader national. I am anxious that every part of the country will be covered by a group. We will look at the criteria laid down by Brussels, and innovation is one of the major areas of interest to Brussels. Obviously those that fit the Leader+ model will go into that scheme and that will leave the others under the national scheme. It is not a question of being put in a straitjacket if we want to cover the various parts of the country. Everybody would be anxious that either Leader+ or Leader national would be available to all parts of rural Ireland. We must look at this in a reasonable light and also look at the various applications to come to a reasoned decision. To do anything else would be to abrogate political responsibility and our duty to make sure that decisions made stand up reasonably.
Is the Minister aware that the hiatus in the whole process has made the financial position of a number of the groups involved in Leader up to now extremely precarious? Their position may prejudice their ability to carry on if selected for either the national or EU programme. Will the Minister explain why, although the Department submitted its proposals to the Commission in November, six and a half months later there is still an argument going on about additional information or criteria? Why is it so difficult to reach finality?
My Department dealt expeditiously with any queries raised. We are well ahead of the generality of countries in regard to the process. In an effort to ensure that we get it up and running as fast as possible we have run a parallel process. Other countries have not done that. Any criticism is flying in the face of the facts. This country is up at the top of the list.
It is still not in operation.
I suggest that if the Deputy has a query about that he should address it to Molesworth Street.