Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

LEADER is a multi-annual programme which has a total budget of €250 million over the period to 2020.  Funding to cover the full period of the programme has been allocated to each of the individual local action groups, LAGs, which deliver LEADER. Total expenditure on the LEADER programme since it commenced, effectively in 2016, has amounted to approximately €31 million. This comprises: €1.5 million for costs incurred by the local action groups to develop local development strategies; €20.3 million for the administration costs of the LAGs and the cost of their engagement with communities to generate projects; and €9.3 million on project expenditure. 

The level of project activity under the LEADER programme has increased significantly this year. Some 1,450 projects have now been approved by the LAGs for funding of more than €46.3 million. The amount approved for projects in 2018, at €30 million, is nearly double the amount approved last year. A further 329 project applications, requesting an additional €22.1 million, are at various stages in the approvals process. Project payments have also increased significantly in recent months as approved works are completed and claims are submitted for payment. More than €8 million of project expenditure has been incurred in 2018, compared with just under €700,000 in 2017.

I am providing the Deputy with a breakdown of project approvals and project expenditure by each LAG area.

Additional information not provided on the floor of the House.

Table 1: Total LEADER approvals and expenditure by LAG as of 4 November 2018

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