Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

LEADER is a multi-annual programme with a total budget of €250 million over the period 2014-20.  Some €220 million of this funding has been allocated to the local action groups, LAGs, for project and administration costs. The remaining €30 million is available for schemes to be delivered at a national level and is allocated as projects are approved. A total of 1,800 projects have been approved for funding by the LAGs, with a combined value of €62.2 million.  A further 377 projects with a value of over €23.4 million are at an earlier stage in the approvals process.

Total expenditure to date by the LAGs on the LEADER programme is €44.2 million and almost €17 million has been paid out to over 650 LEADER projects.  However, project payments will increase substantially as approved works are completed and project promoters submit claims for payment.  The amount of project expenditure in the first quarter of 2019 was €3.8 million, which is double the level of project expenditure incurred in the first quarter of 2018.  This clearly demonstrates the rise in project payments, which will increase substantially during 2019.

Some €27.2 million has been paid in respect of the administration costs of the LAGs, including their engagement with promoters to develop projects. LEADER administration costs are always higher at the start of the programme period when the LAGs are working with promoters in this way. However, administration costs cannot exceed 25% of the LAGs budget over the lifetime of the programme, and project expenditure will exceed administration costs as the programme progresses.

The table which accompanies my reply provides details of core project approvals and expenditure in each LAG area to date. The figures do not include expenditure under national-level schemes. 

LEADER Project approvals and payments as at 31st March 2019

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