To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for an outline of the capacity building infrastructure that her Department will provide to beneficiaries of the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme.

As part of the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme, my Department will establish a rural network for the north of Ireland, which will bring together organisations and administrations with an interest in rural development. Networking activities will include informing potential beneficiaries on rural development policy and funding opportunities and increasing their involvement in rural development. The network will be run by a support unit who will provide training and networking for Local Action Groups and set up groups to engage with beneficiaries on specific themes. The network support unit will also help with capacity building by gathering and disseminating examples of good practice in rural development. My officials are currently working on setting up the network.