Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge and no one disputes the fact that Leader funding is not at the levels it was. That is a consequence of the financial climate in which the European Union found itself. Consequently, the funding for rural development under Leader was reduced significantly. In response, the Government asked how it could focus its limited resources at the front line in terms of valuable projects in rural areas. Not without some pain, we decided to cut the administrative side, capping the maximum amount to be spent on administration to drive the maximum amount to the front line for projects. Consequently, there has been a reorganisation of Leader groups, sweating down the number of organisations and targeting, as much as possible, the front line. In some areas, local authorities have put additional funding into this.

The issue may need to be revisited in terms of Exchequer funding, but funding is in place. It would be better if the Deputy lit a candle rather than cursed the darkness. A lot of positive things are happening in rural Ireland and the Deputy, who represents a rural constituency, knows that.

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