Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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176. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if local action groups in Counties Longford and Westmeath will be among those entering into Leader funding contracts with his Department by the end of 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43186/15]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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The LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 will provide €250 million in financial resources to support the development of sustainable rural communities.

Ireland is conducting a two stage process for the selection of local development strategies to support the delivery of the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. Stage one of the process is now complete and those successful at stage one have moved to stage two of the process, which is the preparation of local development strategies for their areas.

The preparation and submission of local development strategies is underway in each of the 28 designated sub-regional areas. A minimum period of six months to end-January 2016 has been allowed for the submission of strategies by all Local Action Groups, with the majority expected to submit strategies within that timeframe. To date, four local development strategies have been received and these are being considered at present.

Local development strategies have not yet been received in respect of County Longford or County Westmeath and, therefore, I do not expect that my Department will enter into funding contracts with Local Action Groups in those sub regions before year-end.