Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to the highly successful Leader programme, if he will carry out a review to ensure the more timely delivery of funding and the streamlining of the application procedure and also funding for food type projects which were successful in the past should be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25630/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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There are 36 Local Action Groups contracted by my Department to deliver the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 and they are the principal decision makers with regard to projects approved for funding. As part of programme implementation the RDP is subject to continuous monitoring and evaluation and a full and comprehensive mid-term evaluation of the programme was conducted in 2010. My Department is addressing all of the recommendations of this evaluation which includes continued comprehensive support for the Local Action Groups implementing the programme while continuing to ensure value for money for all funding distributed through the RDP. EU regulatory compliance obligations require robust and comprehensive application and approval procedures; however, my Department works with Local Action Groups on an on-going basis to promote the efficient and effective delivery of the RDP.

Food and food-related business are a significant driver of enterprise activity in rural areas. These businesses require continued support to generate employment in rural Ireland. I and my Department continue to work with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in pursuing a solution that meets the EU regulatory requirements. We are also maintaining ongoing contacts with the European Commission on the matter. While it is my objective to find an appropriate solution in the context of our overall budgetary situation, it is important to recognise that €62 million is available this year for other eligible Axis 3 elements of the RDP.