Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be addressing the issue of the islands local action group, LAG, because there is a full question tabled on it. I will be happy to give further details at that stage.

On the issue of steps, the first step is the expression of interest, which we hope to put out in the coming weeks. When expressions of interest come in, I want stakeholders to collaborate and put together their strategies, which will then be submitted to us. Partnership is the key message in LEADER. When the strategies come in, they will be evaluated. I was asking my officials how we would allocate the funding to each successful group. It will be similar to the last time in that it will be based on population and deprivation. The stakeholders have also been asked for their views. We have consulted all the way on this. An independent panel will assess the tenders when they come in. This is an important LEADER programme and I am delighted it is on its way now. We got confirmation from Europe sooner than we thought so we are ready to go.

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