Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2013
148. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will report on the progress of reforming the structures of Leader funding provision as contained in the Putting People First document; and if any agreement has been made on the bottom-up approach of delivery. [21877/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Report of the Local Government/Local Development Alignment Steering Group made a number of recommendations, which Government accepted, focused on improving the delivery of services for the citizen at a local level, achieving greater efficiency and effectiveness, and enhancing the role of local authorities in the delivery of local and community development programmes and functions. A working group comprising key stakeholders is currently overseeing the arrangements to implement the Steering Group's recommendations. New arrangements will consider the roles of central and local government, and the continued role of local development companies in programme implementation, including LEADER implementation.
The value of funding available under future LEADER supports and the detailed regulations for implementation purposes are yet to be agreed for the next programming round. These issues, along with the alignment implementation arrangements currently being examined by the working group, will be relevant and important in identifying the optimum programme arrangements for local development funding. LEADER supports will continue to be implemented via a bottom-up approach in line with EU requirements.
