Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2004
166 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will give details of the work carried out by the Rural Development Co-ordinating Committee under the NDP to date in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22701/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Rural Development Co-ordinating Committee was established to promote rural development in the implementation of the national development plan and the related operational programmes. Similar committees were established in relation to the environment, equal opportunities and social inclusion.
The mid-term evaluation of the national development plan and the operational programmes highlighted significant issues in seeking to integrate these horizontal principles into the operation of the measures in the programmes. Among the issues cited were: problems of understanding of the overall goals of the principle and how they could be integrated into programme implementation; absence of indicators or other data to capture progress in terms of the principles; and guidance or support to implementing bodies.
The review had been carried out by the NDP evaluation unit of the Department of Finance. As a result, new arrangements have been adopted which, it is intended, will make the application of the horizontal principles more effective. Against the background of the review, the Rural Development Co-ordination Committee did not meet in 2004.
In terms of looking ahead, in future the Rural Development Co-ordinating Committee will focus on a limited number of measures in the operational programmes, that is, those most relevant to rural development. Following from this, officials of my Department have consulted the managers of the measures. Such consultations have explored how the rural development principle can be better embedded in the measure and considered performance indicators to capture progress in rural development terms. In addition, a reporting template has been provided to the measure managers to facilitate annual reporting by them and easier analysis of progress by the co-ordinating committee.
As a consequence of these developments, my Department has also reviewed the composition of the co-ordinating committee and its terms of reference. It is awaiting the receipt of nominations from the various constituents, that is, managing authorities, implementing Departments, the social partners, the evaluation unit and the European Commission. Subject to such input, the first meeting of the reconstituted committee will be held on 11 October next and will meet twice yearly thereafter.
