Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to Leader funding, if it is true to say that in Europe it is being suggested that instead of 50% funding that 75% be granted towards projects which are approved; if he will clarify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13280/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP), for which my Department has responsibility, continues to facilitate access to significant financial resources for rural communities. The main objectives of the RDP are to improve the quality of life in rural areas and facilitate the diversification of the rural economy. The RDP is designed to address directly many of the challenges facing rural communities including the need to increase economic activity and stimulate job creation; improve access to basic services for rural dwellers and encourage rural tourism based on sustainable development of natural resources. The programme is inclusive in its approach to arriving at solutions to such challenges using a "bottom up method" where local communities provide local solutions.

In general, the rates of grant aid available under the measures of the RDP are 50% for private promoters and 75% for Community promoters with some higher rates available for specific activities such as Training (100%) and Analysis and Development (90%). In recent times, due mainly to the current economic climate, it has been difficult for private individuals and community groups to obtain the matched funding required to avail of this support level, particularly for larger projects. In an effort to address these and other issues my Department is preparing proposals for a suite of measures relating to the delivery of the RDP which have to be submitted through the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, to the European Commission for approval. It is likely to take some time for the proposals to be considered and decisions made.

The results of this approval process will be communicated to all Local Development Companies (LDCs) as soon as it is available. In the meantime, there is a provision of €96m in my Department's 2012 budget for the RDP which LDCs have at their disposal to spend in line with the requirements of the programme.