Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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926.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25159/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. It is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland.

The process to select the Local Development Strategies (LDS) for the 2023-2027 LEADER was a two stage competitive process with eligible groups invited to develop and submit a strategy to deliver the LEADER programme in their sub-regional areas.

In line with the EU Regulations governing the LEADER programme, my Department was required to define the criteria for the selection of the strategies and to establish an independent committee to recommend approval of their selected strategies. Following the submission of LDSs by eligible groups, the initial appraisal was carried out by Pobal on behalf of my Department before being forwarded to the Independent Selection Committee for their adjudication.

The Independent Selection Committee was required to review all documentation submitted by the applicant LAGs along with the appraisal report from Pobal and recommend the approval of their selected LDS. The final decisions regarding the selection of LDSs rested with the Independent Selection Committee, and I have had no role as Minister in this independent selection process. The LDS(s) selected by the Independent Selection Committee determined the LAG or LAGs approved to deliver the 2023 – 2027 LEADER programme in a sub-regional area.

An appeals process was also put in place by my Department with an independent reviewer being appointed to adjudicate on appeals submitted by applicant groups who were not satisfied with the outcome of the LDS selection process. The group referenced availed of this facility and was advised of the reviewer’s decision following consideration of their appeal.

The selection process has at all times been open, fair and transparent and has been implemented in keeping with the relevant EU Regulations. I am confident that the systems put in place for the selection of LAGs for the new LEADER programme were robust and I look forward to the appointed LAGs operating the programme and supporting the ongoing advancement and development of rural communities.