James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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579. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a grant application under the old-new Leader funding programme in respect of a project (details supplied) in County Longford; when the new Leader grants will be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40257/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The relevant Local Action Group  in respect of the project referred to is Longford Community Resources Limited, whose board has not been disbanded and is the principal decision-maker in relation to the allocation of LEADER funding in that area. I understand that this project was approved by the board of Longford Community Resources subject to additional funding becoming available. However, funding under the LEADER elements of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme is now fully committed and therefore additional funding will not become available under that programme. I expect, however, that the LEADER elements of the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme will commence during 2015 and there will be potential under that Programme to fund projects where they are identified as a priority in the Local Development Strategy for the area.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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580. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when the new Leader grants will be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40258/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The draft operational programme for the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which includes LEADER, was submitted to the European Commission in July 2014. The approval of the Programme involves an iterative process between Ireland and the European Commission and it is hoped that the Programme will receive final approval before the end of 2014. In anticipation of Commission approval, my Department is progressing plans to undertake a comprehensive capacity building and selection process in order to ensure that the most robust, efficient and effective Local Development Strategies are selected for implementation. In addition, my Department is developing operational procedures and systems in order to ensure full compliance with EU and National rules and regulations. Notwithstanding the level of work to be done in advance of the programme becoming operational I expect that it will begin by mid 2015.