Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. LEADER is a multi-annual programme with a budget of €250 million over the period from 2014 to 2020. Some €225 million of this budget has been allocated to the local actions groups, LAGs, which deliver the programme at a local level. The balance of €25 million is provided for specific, thematic projects and is allocated at national level once projects have been approved by the LAG.

The total funding allocated to the local action group in County Clare is in excess of €8.9 million. This includes €6.6 million for core project activity and €2.3 million in funding for the LAG's administration costs and for animating projects in the county. To date, the Clare LAG has allocated over 80%, or €5.3 million, of its project budget to 190 applications. This leaves a balance of €1.3 million available for allocation before the end of 2020. No additional funding is available for reallocation to the LAGs for core project activity under the current LEADER programme. However, the national thematic LEADER food initiative may be an appropriate funding source for some of the applications being considered by the LAG. The food initiative supports the development of food and drink businesses throughout rural Ireland. It covers the renovation and extension of production facilities and the purchasing of processing equipment, as well as supporting participants in the artisan food and beverage sector in areas such as market development, competitiveness and innovation. Further details of the food initiative are included in the LEADER operating guidelines which are available to all LAGs.

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