Mr. William Parnell:

The meeting the Minister held with the ILDN and the local development companies was predominantly about LEADER and the LEADER transitional programme. The Minister acknowledged the work that the local development companies do in regard to other programmes such as the rural social scheme and Tús. The Department is in regular contact with the ILDN and the local development companies. They are key partners of the Department in the delivery of different schemes such as the social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, as well as LEADER and other programmes.