Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
1413. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she anticipates any changes or improvements in the LEADER programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28577/23]
View answerThe LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development launched in 2021.
The programme has been operating successfully in Ireland for over 30 years, and is based on a community-led approach to rural development. Over that time LEADER has demonstrated a very strong track record in supporting communities and enterprises in progressing job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects at local level.
The process to select Local Actions Groups to deliver the 2023-2027 LEADER programme is under way at present. Applicants groups are due to submit completed their Local Development Strategy (LDS) for consideration by 14th July 2023. The process in place is fully open and transparent, and incorporates some new flexibility in relation to sub regional areas compared to the previous programme. The new programme also includes some new requirements to ensure that the needs of our island communities are fully reflected in the process.
Full details of the selection process are available on my Department’s website.
While LEADER is very much based on a bottom up approach, the consultative processes that underpin the development of the new programme have identified a number of key themes that will provide the framework for the LEADER programme in the 2023-207 programme. These themes are
• Economic development and job creation
• Rural infrastructure and social inclusion, and
• Sustainable development of the rural environment and climate change mitigation and adaptation
The 2023-2027 LEADER programme will be operational in Quarter 3 of this year and I look forward to its implementation and to ensuring that LEADER can continue to deliver real benefits to rural communities across Ireland.
