Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

196. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will release a copy of the reply that the Irish Government issued to the European Commission regarding the questions on Leader in 2014, in particular Question No. 209 relating to the population size of a local action group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32478/15]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The reply to the European Commission referred to in the question, was issued by the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine, as Managing Authority for the implementation of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. My Department, as delegated Paying Agency for the implementation of the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 contributed to that process, including the reply to question 209.

I am advised by the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine that the correspondence referred to by the Deputy has been made publicly available by the European Commission. The extract following is the material that was provided to the European Commission in respect of question 209.

"Ireland is currently reconfiguring the way in which local and rural development interventions are implemented in sub-regional areas with a view to ensuring that local government is positioned to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of such interventions in the context of broader and more strategic considerations of the needs of the area concerned. In this context and coupled with the need to ensure sufficient budgetary resources to LAGs to facilitate full and effective implementation of local development strategies, and to ensure administrative efficiency Ireland is proposing to limit the number of LAGS to 28 to mirror Irish local government administrative areas. This will allow for more efficient and effective systems of oversight, coordination and support by both local government and the managing authority to ensure that the impact of all funding available to the sub-regional area is maximised.

Most of the 28 areas outlined have total populations below 150,000. However, there are a small number of areas where the populations (excluding the cities) may breach the 150,000 limit. In order to maintain the integrity of the LAG selection process it will not be possible to be specific on which areas may result in an LDS population of over 150,000 as the populations in need of Rural Development/LEADER support will be determined through the LDS design process. While it is envisaged that no area will have populations above approximately 170,000, there is some potential for areas with populations above the 150,000 population limit outlined in the regulation and therefore Ireland is requesting a derogation from this upper population limit to take account of population levels in some rural areas, to ensure territorial coherence of the LAG area, and to support Irelands increased emphasis on more effective, coordinated systems of local and rural development at a sub-regional level."