Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

520. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the leader element of the rural development programme for 2014-2020; the level of funding to be provided; if a new structure is being proposed for the distribution of funds and if so, if he will provide the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48849/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The draft Rural Development Programme (RDP) for the 2014-2020 programme period, including the LEADER elements, was submitted to the European Commission in July 2014. My Department is currently working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Commission to finalise the text of the document with a view to commencing the implementation of the LEADER element of the Programme in 2015.

A community led local development (CLLD) approach, LEADER is a methodology that places the rural community at its centre. Groups of people representing defined geographical areas called Local Action Groups (LAGs) are charged with identifying and determining where the challenges to development lie and what initiatives are required in order to address these challenges in their own communities. Through Local Development Strategies (LDSs), LAGs seek to facilitate participation by all parties who wish to contribute to this process, thus ensuring that the LDS is as representative of the community view as possible. Over the lifetime of their respective RDPs, LAGs will support those initiatives they consider will have the greatest impact on their communities’ development thereby supporting the achievement of the aims and objectives of the LDS. Funding available through the LEADER element of the RDP 2014-2020 will continue to be distributed by Local Action Groups (LAGS) through the medium of Local Development Strategies (LDSs).

The selection process to select LEADER LDSs and LAGS for the 2014-2020 programme will be an open process that will facilitate participation by any entity that meets the selection criteria. I expect the process to begin shortly and in this context I cannot say what entities will be successful until the process is complete. As required by the EU regulation governing the programme, successful LDS will be selected by an independent selection committee established for that purpose.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

521. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding local development companies who will not have finalised their Leader funding expenditure before the end of 2014; if this funding will be ring-fenced for Leader projects in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48850/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In the main, projects under the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 had contract completion dates up to 1 December 2014. However, approval was given to extend the completion dates of a number of projects into 2015 following requests from a number of Local Development Companies. Up to €25million in funding has been ring fenced for these projects in 2015 but all others must complete and be claimed during 2014.