Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Does it include the LEADER programme? Yes. Clearly, the next Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, will not come into place until 2023 so in the interim we need certainty and clarity. The programme for Government contains a commitment to deliver a national rural development plan to bridge the gap to 2023 but we need to know on what basis the LEADER programme will be delivered during the transition phase. The budget provided funding for LEADER for 2021 but to date there is no clarity on the delivery model. Is the €44 million for new allocations or commitments that have already been entered into? If there is an underspend can it be spent? I am interested in learning more about the model regarding the commitment in the programme for Government and the two year space between now and the new CAP.