Inclusive of amendments of 30 September 2008, of 15 May 2009
Coherence of Programme objectives with NDP
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- Lessons Learned and taken into account in designing the draft programme
Coherence of Programme objectives with NDPThe draft NDP was not available at the time of the ex-ante evaluation. 4. Proposed Measures4.1 Summary of Measures and their relationship to overall objectivesAs set out in Ireland’s Rural Development National Strategy 2007—2013, the programme will contribute to each of the three objectives detailed in Article 4 of the Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. It will provide support through the following Measures:
The proposed measures are designed to address the identified problems under each Axis and are largely based on existing measures but with some modification to take account of current priorities and the changing rural environment. The combined measures seek to address the overall objective of ensuring the economic and social well-being of rural communities, providing the conditions for a meaningful and fulfilling life for all people living in rural areas and striving to achieve a rural Ireland in which the rural environment will be respected and development in rural areas will take place in a sustainable manner. The Regulation prescribes minimum percentages of 5 per cent each for Axis 1 and Axis 3 and 25 per cent for Axis 2. The allocation proposed in the RDP is justified as follows:
The evaluators accept the logic of allocating the predominant amount of funding to environmental measures given the centrality of farmers and farming to the maintenance of the rural environment and the success of environmental measures such as REPS under previous rural development programmes
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. These measures – and particularly those co-funded by the EAGGF – have had a significant impact on agriculture and the wider rural economy. The following are considered as the main achievements:
The CAP Rural Development Plan and the Regional Programmes were subject to mid-term evaluation in 2003. While the evaluators were largely positive regarding progress and impact, some areas of concern were noted. These concerns related to lower than anticipated uptake of REPS and Early Retirement and the long-term impact of the Forestry measure. As a result of this evaluation, changes were made to REPS and participation levels have increased to around the 50,000-farmer level. A review of the strategy for the forestry sector took place in 2004 and some of the recommendations have been adopted in the draft RDP. With regard to Early Retirement a major analysis of the measure was carried out as part of a public expenditure review and lessons learned from this review have been taken into account in devising the proposed measure in the current plan. With regard to Axis 3 the main lessons are drawn from previous LEADER programmes. A mid-term review and update were carried out in 2003 and 2004. The reviews found that the implementation of a themed approach to territorial development and subsequent project selection methodology was consistent and resulted in good physical progress across measures. In respect of LEADER the LEADER approach is now seen as a model for more community based rural development and there is a vast reservoir of competence and knowledge built up as a result of the previous programme. This experience will be essential in delivering Axis 3. Lessons learned from other initiatives such as the CLÁR Programme and the Rural Social Scheme have also informed the programming process for Axis 3 measures.
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