Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I, too, compliment the LEADER programme's work down through the years in constituencies throughout the State. There is no doubt it has made a real difference in communities. The Minister cited the budget and the €180 million for the four-year period, which is approximately €36 million per year. We know in the previous period of 2017 to 2020, there was a budget of €250 million, which meant approximately €55 million for what ended up being almost a four-and-a-half-year period. The Minister will know that the Irish Local Development Network, ILDN, has raised concerns about the budget for this upcoming period. Is the Minister looking at that €180 million in this budget or is she leaving is at €180 million? She will be aware that the ILDN has asked for the maximum allowable Exchequer funding for this 2023 to 2027 period.

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