Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1161. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the persons or bodies that are entitled to apply for funding through SECAD in view of the boundary changes (details supplied) in County Cork. [24648/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Legislation is currently being drafted to give effect to the Government decision in December 2017 to alter the boundary between Cork City and Cork County. Each Government Department including my own is considering the possible implications of the boundary alteration in relation to matters within their areas of responsibility, including relevant schemes or programmes.

The Social Inclusion and Communities Programme (SICAP) and the Rural Development (LEADER) Programme 2014-2020 are both under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development. Both Programmes are delivered locally with companies such as SECAD Partnership working as implementing partners providing services to community organisations and individuals.

With respect to SICAP, all eligible organisations should be able to access supports regardless of who is delivering the programme in their area. The final decision as to how LEADER applicants are treated in the areas affected by the boundary alteration is likely to require the agreement of the European Commission.

Cork City Council and Cork County Council are currently working with the Local Government Implementation Oversight Group (appointed by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government) to develop and implement a Transition Plan to underpin the implementation process for the boundary alteration. I do not expect the current arrangements in respect of either SICAP or LEADER to undergo any change in the short term.