Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC) has welcomed today’s publication of the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development’s report on the LEADER Programme and Rural Development, describing it as a significant endorsement of the programme’s role in supporting and sustaining rural communities.
The report follows engagement with representatives from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Pobal, Local Development Companies and Local Action Groups, including Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC). Padraic Fingleton, CEO, appeared before the Committee as an invited witness during the development of the report, contributing to the discussions that informed its recommendations.
The report highlights LEADER’s long‑standing contribution to economic development, social inclusion, community infrastructure and environmental sustainability, while also acknowledging the challenges facing the programme, including funding, administrative complexity and access barriers. It sets out a series of recommendations to strengthen LEADER’s long-term contribution to rural development and maximise its positive impact on rural communities. These include formally recognising LEADER as a permanent pillar of Ireland’s rural development framework, retaining the community-led local development model as the foundation for programme delivery, and ensuring that LEADER is fully integrated into future national rural policy frameworks.
Welcoming the report, DLDC CEO Padraic Fingleton said: “This is a very positive report and a strong endorsement of community-led development. It is clear that the Chair and members of the Committee have listened and recognise the important role Local Development Companies play in delivering LEADER on the ground.
I want to pay tribute to the Committee Chair John Paul O’Shea TD and the Committee for their work on the report that clearly recognises the value of LEADER and the impact it has on rural communities.”
Mr Fingleton said the report comes at an important time as discussions continue on the future direction of rural development policy: “As Ireland prepares for the next phase of rural development policy, this report provides a strong evidence base and a clear roadmap for ensuring LEADER remains a permanent, properly resourced and community‑focused programme into the future.”
The report will now be formally presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas.
You can read the full report here – https://data.oireachtas.ie/…/2026-07-16_report-on-the…
