Éamon Ó Cuív challenges minister over islands' LEADER exclusion
Éamon Ó Cuív challenged the minister over changes to the LEADER programme that he says will exclude island communities from LAG involvement. He called the situation "a disgrace" and demanded urgent action to reverse the decision.
Issue raised
Deputy Ó Cuív said that until 2013 there was a successful Local Action Group (LAG) operating across the islands and that islands subsequently lost LAG status in 2018. He warned that under the new arrangement islands risk being totally excluded from involvement in the LEADER programme.
Minister's response
The minister replied that sub-regional areas for the new LEADER programme will correspond with county boundaries to align LEADER funding with county-level initiatives and ensure efficient allocation of funding across the country. The minister stated that a separate island LAG will not form part of the new delivery model.
Requirements for LAGs covering islands
The minister said any LAG selected in an area that includes island communities must identify specific actions in their LEADER strategy developed in consultation with the island communities and include an indicative budget to implement such actions. A representative of the island grouping must also be included in the decision-making body of the LAG.
Assurances and deputy's demand
The minister assured the deputy that the contribution of island communities to rural and island development has been taken into consideration and expressed confidence that the LEADER programme can continue to contribute in island communities. Deputy Ó Cuív reiterated his demand for change and asked what the minister would do to address the issue before it is too late.
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Minister, up until 2013 there was a very successful LAG or Local Action Group operating the leader companies across the islands because as you've said in previous questions the islands are unique. That was changed in 2018 and the islands lost lag status but Cornyniline still managed to run the projects in Donegal and in the Baira Peninsula including the Cork Islands. I understand that under the new arrangement it is going to get even worse and that they are going to be totally excluded from any involvement in the leader programme. Minister, this is a disgrace. What are you going to do to change this before it is too late? Thank you. As is the case with the current leader programme, the sub-regional areas for the new leader programme will correspond with county boundaries. This alignment will help to ensure coherence of leader funding with other initiatives and policies delivered on a county basis, thus helping to deliver the best impact and value for money for leaders. The county structure also allows for the most efficient allocation of funding across the country. The offshore islands will continue to be aligned with their relevant sub-regional area and a separate island lag will not form part of the leader delivery model. However, I am aware that island communities have particular needs and priorities and within the context of the emerging programme can play a key role in delivering on these needs. In recognition of this, a number of important elements will be included in the model for the new programme. Any lag selected in an area that includes island communities will be required to identify in their leader strategy specific actions developed in consultation with the island communities themselves. and include an indicative budget to implement such actions. In addition, a representative of the island grouping in each sub-regional area must be included in the decision-making body of the lag. I can assure the deputy that the important contribution that the island communities make to rural and island development has been taken into consideration in the design of the new leader programme. I am confident that the leader can continue to make a real contribution in island communities in the years to come. I am confident that the hemisphere to maintain the mind of the remains of the government, if you are working with the representatives of the civilisation of the norm, within the area of the island community Neσα Opusundan is with the availability of the people,
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