Andrew Carey
Government plans to change the funding structures for the LEADER programme is being heavily criticised by Limerick TD Niall Collins who says that The changes will see local authorities put in charge of the distribution of money to LEADER companies Ballyhoura Development Ltd and West Limerick Resources Ltd.
“I’m extremely concerned about the Government’s plans to realign the funding process. At the moment LEADER companies apply directly to the Department of the Environment, but now Minister Hogan wants to absolve his department of that responsibility and hand over the process to local authority management. I have grave concerns about this move, which is an effective attack on the LEADER programme”, commented Deputy Collins.
“Not only are Ministers standing by massive cuts to LEADER schemes, they’re now handing over the management of funding to councils. LEADER companies are a hugely powerful force in rural communities securing much needed investment into villages and towns across the country. They’ve been at the heart of the regeneration and revitalisation of many rural areas. The funding model adopted in Ireland has been extremely successful and has been held up as an example across Europe, with the result that many other countries are following our lead. We have seen how the local authority has grossly mishandled the Limerick City of Culture 2014, due to poor oversight, with LEADER companies this isn’t the case.
“The Government should not be allowed to tamper with a tried and tested technique. It could threaten the workings of the LEADER system, which is one of the most successful on record. The programme is already being targeted by this Government, with Minister Hogan refusing to outline how much money will be spent on LEADER between 2014-2020.
“Fianna Fáil wants to ensure that funding for this project is maintained at current levels and is distributed by the LEADER companies under the Rural Development Programme. Any alignment of local government and local development will destroy the community based services that these companies provide, and devalue the very communities the LEADER programme was designed to serve”.
