Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The current LEADER programme effectively became operational in the second half of 2016, following the signing of funding agreements with most of the local action groups who deliver the programme.

As the Deputy is aware, LEADER is a multi-annual programme and expenditure typically ramps up over the course of the programming period.

While concerns were initially raised regarding the procedures applying to this LEADER programme, I introduced 31 specific improvements to tackle all aspects of the programme’s administration.

The pace of project approvals has increased substantially as a result of these improvements.  In total, 1,800 projects have now been approved for funding of over €62.2 million under LEADER.  This represents a threefold increase in project approvals since December 2017.

A further 377 projects with a value of over €23.4 million are at earlier stages of the approvals process and I expect to see the approvals figures rise substantially more by the end of this year.

Project expenditure will increase as approved works are completed and claims are submitted to my Department for payment. The level of project payments for the first quarter of 2019 was €3.8 million - double the amount for the first quarter of 2018.

Overall, programme expenditure to the end of March was in excess of €44 million.

We are now making good progress in the delivery of the LEADER programme.  The pace of delivery is ultimately determined at local level by the local action groups. However, I will continue to closely monitor project approvals and expenditure to ensure that the programme budget is fully utilised.

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