Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This meeting has been convened to consider the Supplementary Estimate, Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development and Islands, which has been referred to the select committee by Dáil Éireann. I welcome the Aire Stáit, Deputy Joe O'Brien, and Ms Sheenagh Rooney, assistant secretary general of the Department of Community and Rural Development. I thank the Minister and his officials for the briefing document they have provided for this meeting. As the Minister of State is present, officials should not speak during the public session.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I advise the Minister of State that his opening statement and any other documents submitted to the committee may be published on the committee website. Before I call the Minister of State to make his opening contribution, at the previous discussion on the more extensive Estimate for the Department and on the issue of the LEADER programme, committee members felt strongly that a transitional arrangement needs to be put in place for that. While the Minister for Community and Rural Development, Deputy Humphreys, has indicated that it is her intention to bring forward a transitional programme, it seems to be very much along the lines of an administrative funding to keep the administration of the LEADER companies going. The reality, however, is that it will take at least two years before a new LEADER programme is in place, so not only do we need to look at the administrative aspect of this, we need to ensure these companies have a productive work programme over the next two to two and a half years to implement and that they have a fund to invest into those communities. I indicated to the Minister of State in advance of this committee that I hope he can provide the committee with an update on the progress in implementing a realistic transitional fund for the LEADER programme.