Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael)

The issue I wish to raise today is important for rural communities nationwide. As Members are aware, the rural development programme is run by Leader partnership groups and development companies, which support communities that wish to invest in sports fields, community centres and so on. What I consider to be a new rule has been introduced to the effect that permission must be granted by Europe for grant aid in excess of €200,000. This is affecting many communities and I have received a considerable number of representations on this issue in recent weeks. Many communities have conducted fundraisers, have raised a lot of money and are ready to start work but now are affected by the new rule that permission from Europe is required for those projects which exceed €200,000. This issue should be dealt with as a matter of urgency and perhaps there should be a debate on it.

In addition, food projects or anything pertaining to the processing or manufacture of food is excluded from the programme and this issue must also be considered. If one is serious about creating jobs in rural Ireland, the processing of food must be included and if grant aid is available, it should be made available in this regard. I seek a debate on this programme, which is run by the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Environment, Community and Local Government.