Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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283. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of Leader contracts that have been signed to date; the number of areas that have had their plans approved; the number of areas that are still awaiting approval of plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15022/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I anticipate a phased commencement of the LEADER 2014-2020 programme across all areas commencing in July.

My Department is currently concluding the selection of LEADER local development strategies, in accordance with strict EU regulatory requirements. 32 strategies have been received from the 28 designated LEADER areas, of which 26 have been evaluated to date. Of those, 20 have been selected, 4 require additional work to be brought up to an acceptable standard and 2, relating to competitive areas, have been refused. The remaining six strategies will be evaluated by the Independent Selection Committee at its meeting on 15 June and it is expected that the 4 requiring additional work will also be available for re-evaluation and possible selection on that date also.

Discussions regarding contracts and implementation arrangements are well advanced with 17 local action groups whose strategies have reached the required standard. Discussions will continue to be progressed with the remaining groups over the coming weeks with a view to commencing programme implementation in all areas as soon as possible, while also focussing on securing high quality LEADER strategies that will yield optimum results for rural Ireland.

No contracts for the delivery of the LEADER 2014-2020 programme have issued to date. However, I expect the first contracts to local action groups will issue in the near future as discussions regarding contract and implementation arrangements are concluded.