Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government contains much talk about rural development and, indeed, a rural development Minister. The Leader programme was one of the most important and successful pillars we had in rural development for decades. The Irish programme was held up as a model in Europe. The Minister's predecessor, the former Minister, big Phil, the enforcer, devastated it. Now we have a new situation where there are low engagement levels, the length of the application process is desperate, there is complex and costly administration, and nothing is happening. Not a euro is being spent and communities are frustrated, different projects are being pitted against each other, and the whole thing is a farce. When will the Government dismantle this model and go back to a bottom-up approach? The programme is closed down by administration. It suits the Government. Under the County and City Managers Association, the Government has destroyed community initiative. Could the Government please seriously examine this and allow the volunteers to do the work they have always done and better their own communities, which the Government will not do it?

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