Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2017
310. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when local communities across County Galway will be approved an administrator for the roll-out of Leader funding (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15514/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a competitive process for the implementation of the LEADER 2014-2020 programme in Co. Galway, a Local Development Strategy submitted by Forum Connemara was selected for delivery by an Independent Selection Committee in 2016. The selected strategy covers the municipal district of Connemara, including Inisbofin and the Aran Islands. The new LEADER Programme has been operational in these areas since 1st November 2016.
As the selected strategy did not cover the full area of County Galway, an Expression of Interest process for the delivery of LEADER in the remaining rural areas of east Galway was launched by my Department on 10th October 2016. A sum of €7.7 million will be available under LEADER for the east Galway region.
Arising from the Expression of Interest process, I understand that the preparation of a Local Development Strategy for the east Galway region is at an advanced stage and is expected to be submitted to my Department before the end of March for evaluation and subsequent consideration by an Independent Selection Committee. The Independent Selection Committee will review the strategy towards the end of April.
Provided that the strategy meets the required standard, I would expect to be in a position to sign a Funding Agreement for the delivery of the LEADER 2014-2020 Programme in east Galway shortly after the Selection Committee’s deliberations.
