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

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue.

The LEADER programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government's policy for rural development launched last year, which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy.

Some €250 million has been made available for LEADER for the period 2021 to 2027. This comprises €70 million for the transitional period 2021 to 2022 and an additional €180 million from 2023 to 2027. This level of funding is evidence of the Government's continued support for the LEADER programme.

My officials are engaging with colleagues from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the European Commission on the design of the next LEADER programme from 2023 and on the points raised by the European Commission in its observation letter on Ireland's CAP strategic plan.

Any discussion on rural development investment must also take account of the record levels of investment in recent years. A range of schemes, funded outside of the CAP, have been implemented in recent years, such as the rural regeneration and development fund, the town and village renewal scheme, the walks scheme and the outdoor recreation scheme, all of which contribute to enhancing our rural areas.

The national development plan, NDP, also outlines a clear commitment to a continuation of investment in rural Ireland, with capital funding allocations for my Department increasing from €88 million in 2018 to €205 million in 2025.

I am confident that this level of funding, through the range of schemes, including LEADER, will continue to support and to further develop our rural areas.

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