Still awaiting that omlette!

 

Those who stated that a solution to the LEADER food ban fiasco would become a victim of a collective lack of imagination and urgency on behalf of the two government departments involved, would seem to have had their fears reinforced by the reply of Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan to a series of Dáil questions earlier this month.  No one doubts the bona-fides of all involved, but there does seem a lack of will – or possibly the opportunity to – (please excuse this terrible pun), “break the eggs that will make this omelette!”  Read the questions and reply below and judge for yourself whether a solution appears imminent.  

Question Nos. 413, 425 and 428
Chun an Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil
To the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government
“To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the inability of the Leader programme to fund food related labour intensive projects under the Access 3 criteria, if he will take the necessary steps to resolve the matter so that these projects can be funded as soon as possible thereby ensuring that the jobs potential is harnessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Timmy Dooley T.D. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made in resolving the EU/Government decision not to fund rural food enterprise projects under Leader Axis 1; if a fund of €25 million will be set aside for such projects in view of the level of demand countrywide; if the rate of funding will be increased up to at least 50% for such projects; if he will detail all action taken to date by him to resolve the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.”
John McGuinness, T.D.   

“To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider the current situation in which Leader companies here are being informed that they cannot fund any food projects through Leader Programmes Axes 3 & 4; the way Leader or alternative sources can be utilised to fund food projects in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.”
Michael Moynihan T.D.Ref Nos 18265/11, 18541/11 and 18696/11
For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 5th July, 2011.  

REPLY
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Mr. P. Hogan)
“I propose to take Questions Nos. 413, 425 and 428 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No 41 of 16 June 2011. My Department is continuing to work with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to seek a solution, and I am not in a position to make any decisions regarding additional funds for the types of project referred to at this time. Any funding decision would fall to be made in the context of the overall budgetary situation later in the year.”
The maximum rate of funding that may be made available under Axis 1 to the types of project referred to is 40% as set by EU Regulation.

So there you have it!  Somewhere in a limboland between Minister Hogan’s Department and that of his colleague Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Simon Coveney the solution to the LEADER food fiasco continues to lie.   

Some final questions
Does that reply provide any comfort that there is an announcement to come in the coming weeks to sort out this mess?
Is there any point in LEADER companies and small food business continuing to impress the urgency of the situation on the government?
Has the time come for LEADER companies to regretfully turn its back on pro-active work in the food sector and focus on other opportunities for jobs and economic growth?  In KLP’s case the ‘Food Strategy’ may have to remain an aspirational document, rather than the well-thumbed and argued-over blueprint to transform Killennt’s food businesses?