Mr. William Parnell:

Deputy Ó Cuív asked what percentage of the overall budget was allocated to LEADER under the current programme. My understanding is that it was 7%, higher than the 5% proposed for the next programming period. That 5% would be a minimum for the next programming period. We will have to see how the negotiations shape up before final decisions are made about LEADER and the allocation in the next programming period.

Senator Grace O'Sullivan asked about an audit of the LEADER programme. Yes, audits are carried out on an ongoing basis by the inspection services in my own Department. They are very much focused on the financial aspect of the projects and whether the finances are handled correctly. Perhaps what the Senator has in mind is the setting of targets around climate change actions and how projects might be reported on against those targets. As members may be aware, there is a strand on the environment in the current LEADER programme. I do not have details of targets set under that programme, but the point the Senator makes is valid in the context of considering the next phase of the LEADER programme. I would be very surprised if there was not an element of LEADER that was focused on climate actions. We can certainly consider setting meaningful targets and having those targets reported on annually. We will certainly take that into our considerations.

Deputies Michael Collins and Danny Healy-Rae made some comments about the current model. My colleague, Mr. Mulherin, pointed out earlier that the current model has taken a little time to bed down but we do not underestimate the role of the local development companies in the LEADER programme. As members are aware, the local development companies are the ones implementing and animating projects on the ground. While they are not always the local action groups, LAGs, they still play an important role in the process, which we certainly value.

One of the issues members have mentioned is the profile of the LEADER programme and how it does not appear to have the profile it once had. Perhaps part of that is due to the bedding-down of the new structures but it is something of which we are very conscious because it is a very large programme for rural development. It amounts to €250 million over the lifetime of the programme, as members know. We are now beginning to see project spending. We are already working with the National Rural Network to see how we can capture some of the best examples that are happening under LEADER and increase the profile of the programme. We expect to see an increase in the number of projects being developed again in 2019. Along with the suite of other programmes that the Department operates around rural development and regeneration, LEADER still has an important role to play and will continue to do so when the new programme is agreed.