Inclusive of amendments of 30 September 2008, of 15 May 2009
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- 3.4 Impact from previous programming period and other information
- Table 3.7: Expenditure 2000-2006
- 2000-2006 €m EU Element €m
- Guarantee Funded Rural Development Programme
- Total CAP Rural Development Plan (Agriculture) 3,701.7 2,430.9
- Measure: General Structural Improvement
- Measure: Local Enterprise Development
- Measure: General Rural Development
- Total 186.235 117.392
- Total 3,962.935 2,597.042
- CAP Rural Development Plan
3.3 The ex-ante evaluationAn ex-ante evaluation was carried out by AFCon Management Consultants in liaison with Jim Dorgan Associates and Circa Group Ireland Ltd. It includes an environmental report in line with Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council – the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive. The complete ex-ante evaluation is found in Appendix 9 to this programme. A summary of the report is set out at section 4.2 below, along with responses to the recommendations. 3.4 Impact from previous programming period and other information In 2000–2006, Ireland benefited from both EAGGF Guarantee and EAGGF Guidance. The guarantee element co-funded the four accompanying measures in Ireland’s CAP Rural Development Plan–agri-environment, compensatory allowances (less favoured areas), early retirement and afforestation. The guidance element funded certain measures in Ireland’s two regional programmes. Table 3.7 below summarises expenditure for 2000–2006. The table is limited to EAGGF co-funded interventions. These measures have had a significant impact on agriculture and the wider rural economy. The following are the main achievements:
2000-2006'>Table 3.7: Expenditure 2000-2006
The CAP Rural Development Plan and the Regional Programmes were subject to mid-term evaluation in 2003. A separate evaluation of the LEADER+ Initiative was carried out in 2003/2005. The following summarises the results. CAP Rural Development Plan The overall view of the evaluators, AFCon, was that the plan was progressing satisfactorily although its late start-up and the 2001 foot-and-mouth situation had delayed matters. In the case of the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme (REPS), the evaluators recognised its significance from an agri-environmental viewpoint. They noted, however, that the participation level was lower than anticipated and that changes might be needed to increase the scheme’s effectiveness. On the Early Retirement Scheme the evaluators felt that the relatively low uptake had lessened its impact. This was seen as disappointing as, in their opinion, this was the one measure in the plan that promoted structural reform in the agricultural sector. Among other suggested changes, the evaluators considered that index linking of future pensions would make this scheme more attractive. The evaluators pointed out that the forestry measure was a very long-term and ambitious policy aimed at transforming national land use in a significant way and at a significant budgetary cost. They suggested that the measure be carefully reviewed to ensure its continuing relevance and cost effectiveness. With regard to the Compensatory Allowances Scheme, its value and importance to less favoured areas was recognised, although questions were asked as to whether the scheme should apply to participants over 66 years of age in particular. As a result of this evaluation, changes were made to REPS and participation levels have increased to around the 60,000-farmer level. The suggestion to index link early retirement pensions was not pursued, as this was not an option under the governing EU legislative framework. Regarding compensatory allowances it was decided not to introduce an upper age limit as this could be construed as discriminatory. A review of the strategy for the forestry sector took place in 2004 and has been under detailed consideration in the meantime. The forestry measures in the National Development Plan have been informed by that consideration. Regional programmes In the case of the rural development measures the evaluators (Farrell Grant Sparks and Fitzpatrick Associates respectively) focused on the larger measures – installation aid and farm waste management. The evaluators recognised the importance of installation aid as a means to encourage the entry of young educated/trained farmers. They did note, however, the slow uptake of the scheme but appreciated that this was linked to the negative impact of the 2001 foot-and-mouth situation. The importance of the farm waste management scheme from an environmental point of view was appreciated. As with installation aid, the scheme had a sluggish start but the evaluators underlined its increasing importance due to its linkage with the implementation of the Nitrates Directive. Revised terms and conditions for the Farm Waste Management Scheme were introduced in 2004 – these concerned a consolidation of the grant rate to 40 per cent for all farmers, an increase in the income unit ceiling from 200 to 450, and the investment ceiling was raised to €75,000 per holding. Increased support rates (involving top-up state aid), among other changes, are on offer from 2006. These changes have had a very positive impact on uptake. The foot-and-mouth situation impacted particularly on the rollout of the Area-Based Rural Development Initiative. The evaluators felt that the Initiative would, however, make up lost ground and achieve its objectives in the second half of the programming period. This was indeed the outcome. LEADER + The aims and objectives of the EU LEADER Initiative were fully reflected in and delivered by the national LEADER+ programme, particularly in relation to the development of local strategies. The implementation of a themed approach to territorial development and subsequent project selection methodology was consistent and resulted in good physical progress across measures. However, financial expenditure lagged slightly behind and was slow under certain measures, particularly the agriculture one. Subsequently, financial expenditure picked up markedly across all actions and is well on target for the end of the programme. The programme strongly targeted specific groups, notably women and young people – two priority groups at EU level. In line with the experience of initiatives in other areas, the inclusion of young people in LEADER actions continues to provide a challenge. Since the publication of the mid-term evaluation in 2003, a Network Support Unit has been appointed and this has resulted in an increase in activity at group level and sharing of knowledge. Recommendations in the mid-term report concerning the development of more measure-based indicators have been taken up and introduced. Finally, all funding for the programme was committed by December 2006. The following supplementary measures are also relevant in considering impact on rural development in 2000–2006. Rural Social Scheme The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) was introduced by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in 2004. The aims of this scheme are to provide income support for farmers and fishermen who are currently in receipt of long-term Social Welfare payments, and to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities. Appropriate activities include environmental maintenance work; social care, and up-keep of community facilities. Programme impact
CLÁR programme The CLÁR programme is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that experienced a decline of more than 35 per cent in population since the foundation of the State. Districts in 23 counties qualify. CLÁR contains a range of measures to accelerate the development of physical, community and social infrastructure. These include village, community and schools enhancement, electricity conversion, broadband, roads, water supply and sewerage disposal. Programme impact The programme has had a significant influence on leveraging on other funding. Of the total funding of €151.7 million, committed to the programme from 2002 to spring 2006, 47 per cent was provided by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, while the remaining 53 per cent was leveraged from other public and community sources. Directory: media -> migration media -> The milk carton kids media -> Events Date and Location media -> The Gilded Age: The First Generation of Historians by H. Wayne Morgan University of Oklahoma, April 18, 1997 media -> Analysis of Law in the United Kingdom pertaining to Cross-Border Disaster Relief Prepared by: For the 30 June 2010 Foreword media -> Cuba fieldcourse 2010 migration -> Submissions received from the public consultation on a proposal to increase the allocation to the Celtic Sea Herring Sentinel Fishery for 2016 Proposal migration -> Background Paper Food, Beverages, Nutrition & pcf migration -> Review of Replacement Capacity Requirements under Sea-fishing Boat Licensing Policy migration -> Of the burren farming for conservation programme migration -> Of the burren farming for conservation programme Download 5.36 Mb. Share with your friends:
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