SIPTU representatives will be among a delegation of Irish community activists visiting the European Parliament to discuss the adverse impact of the ‘alignment process’ on the LEADER rural development scheme on Tuesday, 18th November.

The delegation, which will include SIPTU Organisers Eddie Mullins and Trevor Quinn, as well as representatives of the INOU, ICTU and the Disability Federation of Ireland, has been invited to visit the Parliament by Sinn Féin MEP, Liadh O’ Riada. 

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Eddie Mullins, said: “We will inform MEPs and EU officials of the substantial job losses that will result from Government plans to place control of the LEADER rural development scheme in the hands of local authority management.

“This so-called ‘alignment’ of community development with local authorities will result in the closure of Local Development Companies. These organisations have a very important place in their communities, administering important schemes and bringing a strategic approach to community and rural development”. 

He added: “Local Development Companies have the benefit of years of experience and a genuine community ethos. Their removal will lead to job losses and seriously damage the delivery of LEADER funded schemes”. 

Ireland South Sinn Féin MEP, Liadh Ní Riada, said: “The current phase of the 'alignment' process is putting the jobs of many local development and community workers in jeopardy. Already many workers have been put on protective notice.

“At its core, this process is about taking control of LEADER funding. It is a power grab by the Department of Environment, and it undermines the bottom-up, community-based approach that has made the LEADER programme such a success.

“This vital funding for rural areas will now come under the control of local authority management, acting under direction from the Minister for the Environment. What we are witnessing is nothing short of a power grab by Government”.

The delegation will also include CEOs and LEADER Programme Managers from several local development companies. Delegation members will meet with Rural Development management from the European Commission, Irish Government and Northern Ireland Executive representatives as well as Irish MEPs.

They will also meet with representatives from the European Investment Bank and the European LEADER Association for Rural Development.