To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for an update on the delivery of Rural Development money, following the European Commission's approval of the Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020.

European Commission approval of our Rural Development Programme paves the way for up to £623m in funding to become available for improving farming and agri-food businesses, protecting our environment and supporting rural development projects across the north of Ireland.

I have allocated £261million to support the competitiveness of our agri-food industry in the north, £245.2 million to support schemes that protect our rural environment and £80 million to develop our rural economies to enable them to thrive and prosper. Up to £37.2 million has been allocated to Technical Assistance to support the implementation and delivery of the Programme.

The Programme will be funded with a European contribution of approximately £186.5 million and match funding from DARD’s own budget to maximise the drawdown of EU funds available. Despite the significant financial pressures facing my Department, this will be a high priority for me.

The agreement secured with the Executive will provide additional funding of up to £250m to fund the proposed ‘Farm Business Improvement Scheme’ requested by the Agri-Food Strategy Board to deliver on the aims and objectives in the Board’s Going for Growth.

All proposed budgets will be subject to the necessary business case approvals, industry uptake, delivery considerations and approval of bids made to DFP for the necessary additional funds.

My officials are finalising work for the various schemes within the Programme in order to start to open the new schemes when the necessary approvals are in place.

The first phase of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme is expected to open later this year. This will include the establishment of Business Development Groups and training for farmers including farm safety and business planning, with the other schemes to follow in a co-ordinated manner.

Local action Groups and Councils are working to submit interim rural development strategies and community plans.

Forestry schemes are also expected to open this autumn in readiness for the 2015/16 tree planting season.