Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

66. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the local development strategy for the Leader programme; if this will include a review of geographical boundaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8606/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The LEADER Programme is one of the key interventions of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development launched last year.

The programme is based on a community-led approach to rural development and plays an important role in supporting communities and enterprises in progressing job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects at local level.

The draft CAP Strategic Plan, which includes LEADER, was submitted to the EU Commission by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine at the end of December 2021.  The process of negotiating and agreeing the plan with the EU Commission has thus commenced. 

The preparations for the design and delivery of the next programme are underway. This includes ongoing engagement by my officials with relevant stakeholders. Decisions relating to all aspects of the programme, including the question of geographical boundaries, will form part of the new programme design phase.

In addition, a Local Development Strategy selection process will be conducted which will be open and transparent with the successful applicants being awarded Local Action Group(LAG) status. It is envisaged that this selection process will consist of two separate stages providing the opportunity for interested entities to apply for LAG status.