Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2012
453 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the level of contribution from the Leader programme to community projects will increase from 75%; if so, when he expects this to happen; if he will provide any more information on the matter at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5222/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAxes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP), for which my Department has responsibility, continues to facilitate access to significant financial resources for rural communities. The main objectives of the RDP are to improve the quality of life in rural areas and facilitate the diversification of the rural economy. The RDP is designed to address directly many of the challenges facing rural communities including the need to increase economic activity and stimulate job creation; improve access to basic services for rural dwellers and encourage rural tourism based on sustainable development of natural resources. The programme is inclusive in its approach to arriving at solutions to such challenges using a "bottom up" method where local communities provide local solutions.
In general, the rates of grant aid available under the measures of the RDP are 50% for private promoters and 75% for Community promoters with some higher rates available for specific activities such as Training (100%) and Analysis and Development (90%). In recent times, due mainly to the current economic climate, it has been difficult for private individuals and community groups alike to obtain the matched funding required to avail of this support level, particularly for larger projects. As part of a suite of measures to address these and other issues relating to the delivery of the RDP my Department is proposing to change the rates of aid available to both private promoters and community groups and will be requesting a rate change of 75% for private promoters and 90% for community promoters. Such changes have to be approved by the European Commission. The outcome of this approval process will be communicated to all Local Development Companies as soon as it's available which is anticipated to be early in the second quarter of this year.
