Caít Keane (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Ciarán Cannon.

Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I raise the issue of the setting up of a rural development forum or commission, to look after issues in rural areas, in light of the rural development programme from 2014 to 2020. As many issues affect us in rural areas it is important there are structures in place to examine the problems going forward. It is clear from the rural development programme there is a massive opportunity to create jobs in the agriculture and tourism sectors. The Leader companies in each county do wonderful work. If there was somebody to assist and guide them on their way it would be valuable. Issues such as rural resettlement and school closures would come within its remit because it all relates to rural areas. I await the Minister's response.

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I am taking this Adjourment matter on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney.

The rural development programme has a budget of €4.9 billion in a seven year period; this encompasses EU funds of €2.5 billion and the remaining funding of €2.4 billion is provided by the national Exchequer. To date, expenditure under the programme amounts to some €3.2 billion. The programme incorporates some of our most important schemes including on farm investment, LFAs, REPs and AEOS. Funding for Leader is also provided under the programme and this aspect of the programme is delivered through 36 local action groups which come within the remit of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. It is evident therefore that the programme makes a very significant contribution to economic activity in rural areas.

The rural development programme in the next round will run from 2014 until 2020. The rural development regime is part of the current CAP Reform discussions. In very broad terms, the challenge for the current round of CAP reform is to deliver a Common Agricultural Policy that is fit for purpose, that is coherent with the Europe 2020 strategy for recovery and growth, and that supports the twin goals of competitiveness and sustainability. The Commission's proposals on rural development were published last October and have undergone two rounds of detailed technical examination at Council Working Group level. Negotiations will continue at technical and political level in the next year or more, and it is likely that the texts will change considerably before final agreement is reached. CAP reform is subject to co-decision, and therefore the European Parliament will be a full partner in any final agreement that is reached.

The outcome of CAP reform will essentially set the context and policy framework for the future of EU agriculture and rural development. The objectives cited by the EU Commission in its reform proposals reflect this. The three objectives are viable food production in the EU, sustainable management of natural resources and climate action and balanced rural development. In regard to rural development funds, the Commission has not yet revealed its proposals for national allocations but has said it intends to base them on a combination of objective criteria and past performance. Ireland has concerns about this as some of the objective criteria being considered could lead to a significant reduction in Ireland's allocation. As such Ireland has called on the Commission to bring its proposal on this issue to the table as soon as possible. We are broadly satisfied with the thrust of the specific menu of rural development measures provided for in the proposals. The negotiation process is likely to be a long and difficult one, but all efforts are focused on achieving the best possible outcome for Ireland.

Extensive consultation is required as part of the process of development of all elements of the next rural development programme. This consultation will take place at a number of levels. Before preparing our programme, Ireland will be required to prepare a partnership contract which will encompass Structural Funds, the fisheries fund and the rural development fund. The partnership contract must be drawn up in co-operation with national partners such as relevant local authorities, economic and social partners and other representative bodies including environmental partners and non governmental organisations. These partners will be involved in the preparation of the partnership contract and the progress reports relating to this contract.

At the level of the rural development programme itself, a similar consultation process will take place. Consultees from a wide range of interests and stakeholders will be involved in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the rural development programme. Some of these will also participate in the programme's monitoring committee. In addition, an ex-ante and strategic environmental assessment will be commissioned. This will carry out an extensive assessment of all rural development issues and will draw conclusions on rural development needs for the next round. This process of analysis will be reflected in the programme.

The combination of the ex-ante and the strategic environmental assessment, together with the wide consultation process will mean that extensive consideration will be given to all rural development needs prior to the completion of the new rural development programme. This process should obviate the need for an additional forum.

Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for a very good reply. I look forward to working with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, and all the other parties to bring about a good outcome for the people of rural areas.