Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2015
1. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made to date with the roll-out of the Leader programme for 2014 to 2020; when it is expected that all of the contracts will be in place and the programme will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22592/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question very simple. It seeks to get some idea as to when the roll-out of the Leader programme will happen and when it is expected to be operational throughout the State from the north to the south and from the east to the west. I hope the Minister can clarify when this will happen and when we can expect the money to flow.
The Leader element of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 will provide €250 million in financial resources to support the development of sustainable rural communities. Under stage one of the selection process for the new programme, any entity wishing to be considered as a local action group was invited to submit an expression of interest. For the purpose of the new programme, there are 28 sub-regional areas in Ireland, and 45 separate expressions of interest were received. A single expression of interest has been received in 19 of the 28 areas and at least two expressions of interest have been received in the remaining nine areas. In areas where multiple expressions of interest were received, my Department has given an undertaking to facilitate discussions between the relevant entities with a view to engaging all parties and, if possible, reaching an agreement to develop one coherent local development strategy for their area. In this regard, my Department commenced meetings last week with a range of entities, and these will continue over the coming period.
In the meantime, I expect that all of the expressions of interest will be presented to an independent evaluation committee for assessment and decision by late June. On foot of this, preparatory support will be made available to all eligible local action groups selected by the committee. The groups will then be provided with a minimum of six months to develop their strategies, but I expect some strategies to be submitted earlier than this.
The independent evaluation committee will also assess and make the final decisions with regard to the quality of the local development strategies. In areas where a single strategy is submitted, the committee in question will review and evaluate these strategies with a view to ensuring that the strategies meet the required standard. In areas where entities do not come to an agreement and multiple strategies are submitted, it will be a matter for the evaluation committee to a make a decision on which local development strategy best meets the needs of the community. Notwithstanding this, I anticipate that the new programme will be operational in some areas by autumn 2015 and hopefully in all communities by early 2016.
I thank the Minister for providing quite an amount of useful information. The Minister of State mentioned a minimum of six months, but I accept that there is a maximum of six months to get the plan in. From the end of June, a maximum of six months gives one up to end of January, after which the applications have to be evaluated and the contracts agreed. As the Minister of State is aware, there are always delays, questions and issues; it is part of the job. Will she accept that it is optimistic to suggest that any of the Leader programmes will be rolled out before the end of 2015, given that there are only five months from the end of this month? In respect of areas where there is more than one expression of interest, when does the Minister of State think, in reality, she will have signed contracts and will be in a position to accept applications for Leader funding? When will the programme be up and running as far as the community is concerned, allowing for the time taken to carry out evaluations, agree contracts and go through the small print and clauses?
As the Deputy mentioned, there will be a maximum of six months to develop the strategy. From speaking with the people in this space, the development companies and the local community development committee, LCDC, structures, I know they are working hard on getting their strategy together. I do not envisage any delay in the process. Everyone is working hard to draw down this money and get it into the communities. That is not only the priority for me but it is also the priority of the people on the LCDCs and Leader companies. The Department is doing everything it can to facilitate the process. I do not expect any particular delay. The process this time around is different from the process on the last occasion. Once the local development strategy is decided on, that is the trigger for the drawing down of moneys, so I do not expect any delays.
Will the Minister of State confirm that once the strategy is submitted, for which I understand there are significant requirements, there will be a requirement for an evaluation and that issues may arise in regard to the strategy that may need clarification? Once the evaluation has been agreed and the strategy has been agreed, contractual arrangements will have to be entered into with the companies. As I correct in saying that it is only when the contractual arrangements are agreed with the companies and the contract is signed that the companies can actually start accepting applications for Leader funding?
I accept what the Deputy is saying.
I do not have a crystal ball so I cannot say exactly what will happen in the future, but I try to deal with the problem when it arises. We are going through a process and we should allow this process to take place. If it does throw up any difficulties, we will deal with them.
