Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 October 2021
238. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if prior to the commencement of the new round of the Leader programme in 2023, she will review the programme guidelines to introduce a tiered system that makes it less bureaucratic for those seeking small levels of funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50196/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Rural Future represents a new milestone in the approach to rural development policy and is the Government’s blueprint for the post-COVID recovery and development of rural Ireland over the next five years.
The LEADER programme is a key intervention to be delivered in this policy by enhancing the participation of local communities in shaping their future and building leadership and resilience.
The programme is co-funded by the EU under Pillar II the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is Ireland's Managing Authority for the CAP and thus has lead responsibility for negotiations of the new CAP which is to be introduced from 2023. My officials are engaging extensively with both DAFM and the EU Commission on the design of a new LEADER programme to form part of the new CAP Strategic Plan. My officials have also engaged extensively stakeholders in the design of the next LEADER programme.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to reduce bureaucracy while ensuring that strong accountability and transparency mechanisms are in place to protect taxpayers’ money. As the design of the next LEADER programme develops, officials in my Department are examining how best to implement this commitment, which will, inter alia, take into consideration the outcome of consultations with all relevant stakeholders, as well as the provisions of the EU Regulations governing the new programme once they are agreed.
