Rural Development Programme Ireland 2007-2013

Finola Moylette

Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs

Aims of Presentation

Background

Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2013

Programme Delivery

Measures and Rates of Aid

LEADER 1991 - 2013

EU LEADER ProgrammesLEADER I LEADER II LEADER+

Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2013

Council Regulation (EC) No. 1698/2005 (on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD))

Background LEADER Pre-2007

LEADER Approach – Introduced 1991

EU's strategy for 'bottom-up' rural development

Co-funded programmes

Local communities operating in partnership

structures to identify their own development

priorities and their strategies for tackling these

Innovative Approaches

Structure of the RDP 2007 - 2013

LEADER integrated into national/regional Rural Development Programme - mainstreamedAxis 1: Improving the competitiveness of farming and forestryAxis 2: Environment and countrysideAxis 3: Improving the quality of life and diversification of the rural economyAxis 4: Implementation of the LEADER approach

RDP 2007 – 2013 Funding

€5.778 billion

€2.339 billion funded by European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EARDF)

€3.438 billion by the National Exchequer

Programme Coverage

36 Local Action Groups (LEADER companies) countrywide

Each with own allocation of funds under each measureResponsible for approving actions falling within agreed business plans

Excludes Cities of Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick & GalwayAlso excludes Hubs and Gateways (National Spatial Strategy)National and EU Regulatory Requirements

Main Players

Commission – Regulatory authorityDepartment of Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodDepartment of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht AffairsLocal Action Groups (LAGs)Project Promoters (Applicants)

Also outside auditing bodies – Deloitte and Touche

Departmental Functions

Limited role in Programme DeliveryReporting and monitoringSupport to LAGsAdvice on eligibility of projectsEnsuring compliance with programme rules and objectivesInspections and audits of project filesMaking relevant payments to LAGs and monitoring expenditure

Local Action Group Functions

Local Development StrategyDay to day delivery of the programme on the groundHelping communities/groups to develop ideas/applicationsProcessing applicationsDetermining eligibilityChecking compliance with rules etcReporting back to the Department

Application Process

Pre application work – LAG assistance to groupsApplication to LAGAssessed by LAG

Evaluation CommitteeBoard Decision

Letter of Offer (contract)Project completedClaim - Evidence of expenditure Payment by Department to LAG and on to Promoter

Checks on Applications

Administrative checks by the Local Action Groups required on all applications and claims for paymentThe eligibility of the application / claimCompliance of the project with –

Commission Regulations Public ProcurementState AidNational Operating Rules etc

5% of expenditure to be checked by Dept pre payment1% to be checked after payment

Axis 3/4– Improving the Quality of Life

Objective – Improve the quality of life in rural areas and encourage diversification Commenced in Feb 2009Funding of €425m - 55% of which from EU

€234m EU and €191m National

Focus on developingICT capabilitiesTourism infrastructureCommunity services and facilitiesBusiness creation and development

Measures under Axis 3 & 4

Diversification into non-agricultural activitiesSupport for business creation and developmentEncouragement of tourism activitiesBasic services for the economy and rural populationVillage renewal and developmentConservation and upgrading of rural heritageTraining and InformationSkills acquisition and animationImplementing co-operation projects

Diversification intoNon-Agricultural Activities

Funding available - €16.66m

Examples of eligible activitiesProvision of tourism facilitiesDevelopment of niche tourism and educational servicesDevelopment of farm shops

Support for Business Creation and Development

Funding available – €48.26m

Examples of eligible activitiesAssistance for start-up and existing micro-enterprisesDevelopment of innovative products and activitiesAssistance to add value to local productsActions to foster rural entrepreneurship

Encouragement of Tourism Activities

Funding available – €45.40m

Examples of eligible activitiesProvision of infrastructural needs for tourism and countryside recreationMaintenance of vernacular featuresDevelopment of forestsDevelopment of niche tourism

Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population

Funding available – €49.61m

Examples of eligible activitiesAmenity and leisure facilitiesCultural activitiesCertain arts facilitiesGeneral community and recreational infrastructure

Village Renewal and Development

Funding available - €54.20m

Examples of eligible activitiesEnvironmental upgradingPublic utilitiesGeneral surface upgrading and renovation of derelict buildingsFarmers Markets

Conservation and Upgradingof the Rural Heritage

Funding available - €51.70m

Examples of eligible activitiesPreservation and development of vernacular architectureRestoration and development of locally significant natural areasEnvironmental initiativesAlternative renewable actions

Training and Information

Funding available - €29.45m

Examples of eligible activitiesProvision of general and specialised training coursesDevelopment of training facilitiesProvision of flexible learning opportunitiesDeveloping capacity of rural dwellers to utilise ICT

Skills Acquisition and Animation

Funding available - €34.63m

Examples of eligible activitiesActions to create awareness, understanding and motivation in rural communitiesInitiatives to animate specific interest or marginal groups to harness unique potential

Implementing Co-operation Projects

Funding available – €10.70m

Examples of eligible activitiesTrans-nationalInter-territorial

Measures of interest to Tidy Towns

Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population

Amenity, Leisure, Arts, Recreational FacilitiesVillage Renewal and Development

Environmental upgrading of parks, civic areas, street lighting, renovation of derelict buildings etc.

Conservation and Upgrading of the Rural Heritage

Restoration/preservation of locally significant areas

Total of more than €155m available under the programme

Co Funding with Local Authorities

Co funding allowed under the 3 measures

LA can contribute up to 20% of costCan contribute ‘in kind’ or cash5% of overall cost must be cashMax grant aid between RDP and LA = 95%

Cannot replace or supplement LA activitiesLA Cannot tender to carry out the work on a commercial basisCannot carry out general maintenance

Rates of Aid and Grant Ceilings

As a general rule:Maximum Rate – 50% private promoters – 75% community promotersMaximum Amount – €150,000Exceptions – up to max €200,000 for private promoters and up to max €500,000 for flagship community projects

Analysis & Development:

Community Projects – 90% to max €30,000Private Promoters – 75% to max €30,000

Training:

Rate of Aid 100% to max €200,000

Spend Profile

€425m to be allocated by 2013All must be spent by 2015€21m approx spent in 2009€40m available in 2010€73m on average to be spent annually between 2011 and 2015Government fully committed to spending the full amount

Contact Details

Department Websitewww.pobail.ie

Each LAG has its own website

Full list of LAGs and their contact details on Dept Website

Questions