There’s still no clarity on how the Leader programme is to be administered into the future.
Environment Minister Phil Hogan has yet to spell out his plans for a greater alignment between Leader and local authorities.
At present, Leader in Donegal is administered by Inishowen Development Partnership, and Donegal Local Development Company in the rest of the county, with both organisations having a large representation from local community groups on their boards.
Concern has been expressed by the opposition that the minister wants to centralise the Leader programme in a way which would sideline the community sector.
However, DLDC Chief Executive Caoimhain Mac Aoidh doesn’t believe that would be acceptable to EU commission:
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