Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 March 2014
13. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the arrangements he will make to deliver both the Leader and the successor LCDP in the Gaeltacht and the islands; the arrangements being made to ensure that delivery of these programmes to Irish speakers in the Gaeltacht will be through the medium of that language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11702/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (RDP) will be delivered using a Community led Local Development approach through the design and implementation of the Local Development Strategies. I can assure the Deputy that the process of selection of Local Development Strategies will include the requirement fully to assess and address the development needs of both Gaeltacht and Island communities. Provision of services through the medium of the Irish language will be compliant with the relevant national legislative framework.
The Local and Community Development Programme is the largest social inclusion intervention, of its kind, in the State. The current Programme which operated for four years to the end of 2013, is being implemented by the Local Development Companies on a transitional basis for 2014 pending the implementation of a new Programme in January 2015. Management of current contracts and Programme oversight will transfer to Local Community Development Committees of the local authorities from 1 July 2014.
The Local Community Development Committees are being established in each local authority area over the coming months in line with the provisions of the Local Government Reform Act 2014. They will bring together both statutory and non-statutory partners, including the community sector, to bring greater co-ordination to area-based activity in their respective areas. The Committees will have responsibility for community and local development programmes funded by my Department and I am confident that they will bring a strong, strategic focus to their implementation. This implementation will involve local development actors and, therefore, the skills and experience that have been built up will continue to be available and utilised locally. In the case of the LCDP and in accordance with public procurement rules, the Committees will procure the programme locally, which will have regard to service delivery in both the Gaeltacht and Island areas.
