Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This Commencement matter relates to the LEADER programme, which the Minister of State will be very aware of. He knows of its enormous benefits. I am asking some questions and seeking clarification on the next round of LEADER funding. The local development companies under the LEADER programme were initially set up in response to the multidimensional nature of social inclusion throughout local areas. This was to be a responsive, innovative and integrated approach to building the partnership model, with which the Minister of State will be very familiar, based on local ownership. This arose from the OECD's 2005 recommendations. Today, the LEADER programme offers best-placed local solutions to the challenges for urban and rural development across Ireland. These companies have worked very successfully. There has been great partnership and buy-in to the LEADER programme. The programme has a great future and potential to expand, given the right supports and appropriate resources.

There are 14 urban and 35 rural local development companies covering the entire Twenty-six Counties of the State. More could be done if there were more resources. The implementation of their plans is really important, which raises the issue of the next phase of the LEADER programme. All of us, including the Minister of State, know the significance and importance of the programme so I will not give a history lesson on the success of LEADER. I will say that I know the Government is committed to it, that there are limited resources and that there is always pressure on central government resources and finances. However, this programme has worked really well. I am very familiar with a number of these companies and I will mention a few that I have been in touch with: the Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership, the Bray Area Partnership, Cavan County Local Development and Galway Rural Development. Where are we with regard to the next round of funding for the LEADER programme? The organisers and the people involved need to know in order to plan for the future.