Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Have there been any job losses or lay-offs due to the delay in rolling out the Leader programme? I support a Minister conducting a review of the previous programmes and if there were any negatives in them, I would support a Minister if he or she had to correct that. What I cannot support is that while we knew this was coming and that there would be a new Leader programme, we have buildings and staff all over this country and the Leader programme has not yet been rolled out. It does not make sense for the Government to pay staff if the Leader programme is not being rolled out. I want to see that programme rolled out as quickly as possible.

Could the Minister of State provide an update on what has happened to the complaint relating to the Leader company in Cavan that was made to Europe? What is the problem, what is the complaint and is this holding back the roll out of the Leader programme?

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