Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Negotiations for the new LEADER programme are already taking place. I hope that, unlike every other programme, there is no gap in the new programme, and at Government level I will push to ensure there is no gap but rather a continuation of the scheme.

On the drawdown of funding, as the Deputy will know, when approvals are made, if the LAGs present with receipts and evidence of work having been done, they are paid and there is no delay in that regard. As I said in my reply, there has been a major improvement, given that two years ago there was only €700,000 in expenditure whereas last year there was €12.5 million, and I expect that to be further ramped up this year. It is expected that 80% of the project budget will be approved by the local action groups by the end of 2019, and further funding can be allocated to projects up to the end of 2020. Project promoters have a further three years to complete the proposed works and submit claims for payments.

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