Local action groups to increase

ARISING from the most recent letter from Kathy Sinnott MEP (November 5) I wish to again clarify that the proposed number of local action groups to deliver the new integrated Rural Development Programme, which supersedes LEADER+, is being increased to 40, not being reduced to 22 as Ms Sinnott claimed.

No confusion exists at local action group level. Under the old system, 22 groups were EU co-funded and 14 exchequer-funded. Ms Sinnott claimed Minister Ó Cuív was reducing the number to 22 when, in fact, he is increasing the number of LEADER groups to 40.

Moreover, the European rural development funding is not robbing Peter to pay Paul by taking from agriculture. Farmers are also rural dwellers, and enjoy the benefits of rural development programmes more than any other rural dwellers.