Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will get the information for which the Deputy asked in the second question. I was very involved in the discussions on the part of the programme for Government that refers to Leader groups. The Government's view was that overall funding for Leader groups in the last round of funding should be reduced.

There is a new structure in place with much more integration with local government in terms of decision making and, as such, we have said to Leader groups that we should get on and spend the money that is available for the Leader programme. We have said the Government will look at the success of that programme with a view to increasing the funding for it over time. For the moment, most of those programmes are only getting up and running in the last number of weeks. Let us spend the money that is there and we can add to that if the schemes are successful.

See this speech in context