Written answers

Tuesday, 27 June 2017

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Leader Programmes Funding

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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314. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to revise the existing administrative process for the allocation of Leader 2014-2020 funding including the role of LCDCs in the process and revert back to the administrative model that pertained under the 2007-2013 RDP; and if changes would require approval at EU level to achieve this. [29619/17]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The selection of LEADER local development strategies, and by inference the selection of LEADER Local Action Groups, is subject to strict EU Regulatory requirements which mandate a transparent process, open to all interested parties. The Local Development Strategies and Local Action Groups were selected by an Independent Selection Committee. That process is now concluded, with Funding Agreements signed with 29 LEADER Local Action Groups for the duration of the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme.

Following on from that selection process, two separate models have emerged for the delivery of the LEADER 2014-2020 Programme in Ireland. The first of these models mirrors the approach used in the 2007-2013 programme where some Local Development Companies were successful in being selected as the LEADER Local Action Group. The second model is where the Local Community Development Committees were selected as the Local Action Group, with the Local Development Companies from the 2007-2013 programme administering much of the programme on their behalf. In both models, the Local Development Companies continue to be the primary point of engagement for potential applicants under the LEADER programme.

I do not have the authority, under EU rules, to unilaterally remove one of the delivery models and appoint new Local Action Groups. In any event, the merits of one model over the other was not an issue raised by stakeholders at the LEADER forum which I hosted on 17th May last. The forum was held with participants from all of the Local Action Groups and the Local Development Companies delivering LEADER, to explore the issues of concern to them and to identify potential solutions aimed at streamlining the current administrative and application procedures under the programme.

The forum, which was attended by more than 70 people, was very productive and participants identified a number of areas where they felt procedures could be streamlined and where the burden on project applicants could be reduced.

My officials have reviewed all of the contributions made at the forum and have identified a list of 31 Action Points which I am committed to implementing in order to improve administrative procedures, in partnership with the Local Action Groups and Local Development Companies in many instances. I have written to all of the Local Action Groups and Local Development Companies, outlining these improvements.

The changes being introduced will improve the administrative processes associated with the delivery of the LEADER programme to the benefit of rural communities throughout the country, and I expect to see a substantial increase in project approvals throughout the rest of the year.

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