Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister and I agree that the LEADER programme supports community-led local development. It is unique. As an MEP, I was proud to see an EU Court of Auditors report in 2010 stating the Irish model was best practice. What has happened since then is we have significantly minimised the active role of the local community in the context of decision-making regarding funding decisions for LEADER, with the exception of a few independent LEADER companies, and we have cut the funding. I agree with the Minister on the funding figures but in my constituency the reality is, if we take inflation into account, which is not high at only 10% since 2007, there is a 28% cut in Sligo and Roscommon and a 47% cut in Leitrim since 2007. Yes, Leitrim Development Company, Roscommon LEADER Partnership and Sligo LEADER Partnership do great work, but these cuts mean they have to cut back on supports and resources for their local communities.

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