Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Kerrane for her question. First, I want to acknowledge the good work done by LEADER companies. The budget for 2014 to 2020 was €250 million and the budget for the next seven-year programme is the same, at €250 million.

We have matched a portion and come up with additional funding of €70 million. The LEADER companies specifically asked for that. They said that they did not want what happened in 2014 to happen in 2021, where the companies had to wind down their operation to some extent and they were concerned about their future. I told them that we wanted to support them and as this is part of the LEADER funding, we allocated the €70 million.

Much other funding is coming into rural Ireland. LEADER is not the only show in town. As the Deputy knows from this Vote, much money is going in through the town and village, rural regeneration and outdoor recreation schemes. There are many other funding sources. It is important that we all work together to make sure that we have the most impactful investment in our towns, villages and rural areas.

There was €65 million of total transitional money for the projects and administration, with extra funding to bring it to a total of €70 million altogether. Roscommon was allocated €2.6 million. The total value of projects approved as of 23 January 2021 was 44.1%. In fairness, it had nearly 50% of its money allocated, which one would expect, because it is a year into the transitional programme. We are confident that the transitional budget is sufficient. Some €65 million of the €70 million is available for projects and administration costs and to date, 35% has been assigned to approved projects. There is a big difference between areas. South Cork has allocated 70%, while Kilkenny has only allocated 3.4%. Roscommon is spot on, at 44%, or nearly at 50%. We have never been found wanting in supporting good projects. I commit to the Deputy that that will continue.