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

I met the CEOs of all the LEADER groups just last week. It was a very positive engagement and gave me a good opportunity to hear a lot of what they had to say directly and to allow them to outline to me the really good work they are carrying out in their areas. Martina Earley, from the Roscommon LEADER Partnership in the Deputy's neck of the woods, outlined to me the different issues she had, as well as the great work they are doing down there. In fairness, there is confusion about this LEADER budget but the one thing I am certain about is there is absolutely no cut to funding. The previous LEADER programme from 2014 2020 had funding of €250 million. That is plain to be seen. The programme from 2021 to 2027 has a total of €250 million, that is, €70 million of transitional funding and €180 million in funding for the period from 2023 to 2027.

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