Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to set out the progress made to date in the roll-out of the Leader programme; the number of sub-regions where there is only one approved bidder; the numbers of completed plans received from these areas; the expected date of commencement of contracts for the first movers; the number of contracts it is hoped will be signed by the end of the year to deliver the programme; the latest date by which areas where there is more than one bidder must deliver their plans for evaluation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38545/15]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Many people are keen to see the Leader programme process begin and companies get contracts. Will the Minister of State give us an update on the progress made in rolling out the programme, in particular, whether we will see contracts in position for Leader companies by the end of the year?

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland is conducting a two-stage process for the selection of local development strategies to support the delivery of the Leader elements of the rural development programme 2014-20. Stage one of the process is now complete. Those successful in stage one have moved to stage two of the process which involves the preparation of local development strategies for their areas.

The Deputy asked a specific query. The process of preparation and submission of local development strategies is under way in each of the 28 designated sub-regional areas. In all, 34 local action groups are expected to submit Leader strategies, with the submission of a single strategy expected for 23 or more areas. To date, three local development strategies have been received and they are being considered.

A minimum period of six months, to the end of January 2016, has been allowed for the submission of strategies by all local action groups. We expect the majority to submit strategies before the end of January 2016. In line with current European Commission guidance, my Department will be reasonably flexible and accept strategies after January 2016, where appropriate. It will not cause any undue delay in the roll-out of the programme in the relevant areas, including those where more than one strategy is expected to be submitted.

Based on the progress made to date by local action groups, I expect a small number of contracts to be signed before the end of the year, although it is a little too early to say exactly how many will be signed and commenced this year. That will be determined largely by the number and quality of strategies submitted in the coming weeks. That said, I am hopeful the majority of areas will have their strategies approved and be in a position to commence delivery on a rolling basis between now and early 2016.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for her reply. May I take it that in 23 of the areas only one strategy will be submitted? Let us suppose a strategy is submitted for evaluation. May I take it that if it passes muster, the Department will very quickly allow the contracts to be signed to allow progress to be made? The Minister of State might confirm this officially. May I take it that the Department has received strategies, but that it expects the bulk of them to be submitted between now and the end of the year? I am not necessarily saying they have been approved but submitted. Am I correct in assuming it will take approximately one month for the evaluation committee to evaluate the final strategies? I understand there have been preliminary discussions and that, allowing for the Christmas period, within one working month a company can expect its strategy to be up and running.

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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The Deputy is correct in everything he says. A total of 34 local action groups are expected to submit Leader strategies, with the submission of a single strategy expected for 23 or more areas. I am working with officials to ensure there will be no unnecessary or undue delay. I know that the relevant communities are concerned and that the Leader programme is very much anticipated in the communities that the programme has been designed to benefit. I also understand the Deputy's concern, but I am more concerned with the quality of the strategies submitted. I do not necessarily want to rush them, but we are keen to ensure they are of good quality. Once they are submitted, we will work hard to ensure the draw-down of money.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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In 23 or more areas there will be one strategy. Will the Minister of State confirm the position in these cases? If a strategy is not up to standard, will the Department go back to the bidder or the person who submitted the strategy to look for necessary amendments or improvements? In cases where there are two or more strategies, a competitive bid process applies and the best strategy will jump the ditch. Will the Minister of State outline what will happen if several of the strategies are not up to standard? Will the Department accept the best strategy and try to have it improved?

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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The best strategy will win out because it is a competitive process. Given the standard of strategies that have been submitted and from what I know having worked with the councils and the local community development committees, they know what their job is. I do not expect any strategy to be in any way substandard. All council officials and local development companies have been working hard on to have quality submissions made. I do not expect too many difficulties with the standard of submissions made.