Role of DARD in Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme (NIRDP) and Role of NIRDP Monitoring Committee
ROLE OF DARD IN NORTHERN IRELAND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (NIRDP) PROGRAMME
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) is the Managing Authority designated by the Member State in accordance with Article 74(2) (a) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.
As Managing Authority, DARD is responsible for the efficient, effective and correct management and implementation of the NIRDP. The Managing Authority is responsible for chairing and providing the secretariat for the NIRDP Monitoring Committee. It draws up annual progress reports and, after approval by the NIRDP Monitoring Committee, submits them to the European Commission. It is also responsible for securing European Commission approval for any proposed amendments to the programme.
DARD also has overall responsibility for delivery of the NIRDP, either directly or through secondary delivery bodies. This is summarised in the table at Annex A which can be downloaded by following the link below.
ROLE OF THE NIRDP MONITORING COMMITTEE
As required by Articles 77-79 of EU Regulation 1698/2005 the Monitoring Committee has been established to oversee the implementation of the NIRDP.
The NIRDP Monitoring Committee will:
- consider the criteria for selecting operations eligible for financing under each axis (within four months of NIRDP approval);
- consider the action plan for the National Rural Network
- monitor delivery of the programme
- consider and approve the annual progress reports for the Programme before submission to the Commission
- consider and approve proposals to amend the NIRDP.
- periodically review progress made towards achieving the specific objectives of each of the programme measures;
- monitor progress towards achieving the targets set for the programme, particularly at the mid-term point;
- propose to the Managing Authority adjustments to improve the implementation of the programme; and
- ensure that equality considerations underpin the delivery of the Programme and that where the Programme contributes to the delivery of Government equality strategies the relevant targets are regularly reviewed
The Monitoring Committee has established two Sub-Groups to consider in more detail the impact of the Programme in the following areas
- Equality and Good Relations
- Environment
