Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 October 2022
103. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the purposes of the LEADER programme; her plans for the islands around the coast to be recognised as one region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53795/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraLEADER is a key programme within Our Rural Future, and I am very happy to confirm that the Expression of Interest stage to select the Groups to deliver the next LEADER programme is now open. The allocations for each LEADER area have also been announced as part of this process.
The procedure to select the LEADER groups will be open, transparent and competitive. Central to the formation of the Groups will be a clear partnership approach, with public and private interest groups coming together to deliver the programme in rural communities all across Ireland.
As is the case with the current LEADER programme, the sub regional areas for the new LEADER programme will correspond with county boundaries. This alignment will help to ensure coherence of LEADER funding with other initiatives and policies delivered on a county basis, thus helping to deliver the best impact and value for money for LEADER.
The off-shore islands will continue to be aligned with their relevant sub-regional area and a separate Island Local Action Group (LAG) will not form part of the LEADER delivery model.
However, I am aware that island communities have particular needs and priorities and, within the context of the emerging National Islands Policy, I envisage that the LEADER programme can play a key role in delivering on these needs.
In recognition of this, a number of important elements are included in the model for the new programme.
Any LAGs selected in an area that includes island communities will be required to identify in their LEADER strategy specific actions developed in consultation with the island communities themselves and include an indicative budget to implement such actions.
In addition, a representative of the island grouping, in each sub-regional area, must be included in the decision-making body of the LAG.
Full details of the selection process for LAGs for the 2023 -2027 programme are available on my Department’s website.
I look forward to the implementation of the new LEADER programme and to ensuring that LEADER can continue to deliver real benefits to rural communities across Ireland including our island communities.
