Mr. Brian Kehoe:

In relation to LEADER, it is probably unique in terms of funding programmes because it is strategic. We are tasked with developing a strategic plan for an area and, based on that plan, we are awarded funding. All of the local action group areas would have developed a strategy in consultation with local communities. It was not just with community and voluntary groups. The consultations were quite well attended by businesses as well. It is a bottom-up approach. I know it is a cliché but that is what it is. It is asking people what they want to see in the plan and, it is hoped, being able to deliver on that. It is different from other programmes which tend to be announced. There is a call for proposals, the proposals come in and they are awarded funding. There is nothing wrong with that and it is welcome in rural communities, but is not necessarily strategic, particularly at a local level.

In terms of monitoring, LEADER is extremely well monitored, as we know. It is heavily monitored, which is not a bad thing. There is probably is a bit of a gap with the streams of funding that come on stream at local level. A lot of them are filtered through the local community development committees in the local authorities. There should be a database somewhere that is able to identify who has received funding. It does happen in some areas, but there is possibly a little bit of work to be done around that.

While LEADER is a funding programme, it is very much a developmental programme too. We see it as unique. Our staff work with rural communities to develop projects and plans in those areas but also to develop their capacities. They also motivate and energise people. It is not like we put an advertisement in the paper, put a call out for proposals and sit back and wait to see what comes in. That is not how the programme works. It is very much staff out on the ground. The term that is used is animation, but we prefer to say motivate and energise. It is basically creating enthusiasm in rural communities for what is possible in their area. Often it may not be LEADER. It could be community recognition funding or town and village renewal funding. When working with a community, our staff will signpost them to that funding if we think it is appropriate and relevant. It is an aspect of LEADER that has possibly got lost over the last programme or two. The resources certainly are not there to do it. Ideally, we would have more staff to get out there to animate and work with communities and businesses.

The nature of the programme and the funding there now means it is extremely tight. A lot of time is spent on processing applications and administrative work, which is a pity.