525. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will resolve issue to enable Leader to be rolled out nationally as some agencies are awaiting clarification on certain matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5016/16]

The submission of Leader Local Development Strategies and their evaluation by the Independent Selection Committee is at an advanced stage. Strategies have been received for all designated Leader areas at this stage. To date, 15 strategies have been evaluated and, of these, 11 have reached the standard required to enable discussions to commence on contracts and implementation arrangements. Additional work is required in respect of the four remaining strategies, and these will be reconsidered at subsequent meetings of the Selection Committee. The remaining 17 strategies will be evaluated on a rolling basis over the period March to May.

I expect the first contracts to be finalised towards the end of April. My Department has commenced pre-contract meetings with those Local Action Groups whose strategies have reached the required standard, with contract discussions progressing with the remaining Local Action Groups as their strategies are evaluated and selected by the Independent Selection Committee.