Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. LEADER is a key programme within Our Rural Future and, as announced recently, the expression of interest stage to select the groups to deliver the next LEADER programme is now open. The allocation for each LEADER area was also announced as part of the process.

The programme has made an immense contribution to the development of rural Ireland, including the offshore islands. The funding allocation commitment of €180 million for 2023 to 2027, when taken together with the allocation of €70 million under the transitional programme for 2021 and 2022, shows that all LEADER areas have an increased allocation of core programme funding compared with the core programme funding allocated for the corresponding seven-year period of 2014 to 2020. Importantly, all of the €180 million will be allocated up front to LEADER areas. This is a change from the 2014 to 2020 programme where €30 million was withheld to fund initiatives delivered at a national level, such as the LEADER food initiative. The subregional area of County Galway has been allocated €9 million for the 2023 to 2027 period. When taken in conjunction with the transitional funding for County Galway of €3.6 million for 2021 and 2022, this gives a total LEADER allocation of €12.6 million for the period 2021 to 2027. This represents a 3.55% increase of approximately €430,000 on the 2014 to 2020 period.

A number of factors were considered when deciding on the funding allocations. Along with minimum allocations, these factors included population density and deprivation index. This approach is similar to the approach taken in the previous LEADER programme, with the relevant population and deprivation figures updated to take account of the passage of time. This approach ensures the funding is targeted in a transparent and fair manner to the rural communities most in need of LEADER support. As is the case with the current LEADER programme, the subregional areas for the new LEADER programme will correspond with county boundaries. This alignment will help to ensure coherence of LEADER funding with other initiatives and policies delivered on a county basis and so help to deliver the best impact and value for money for LEADER.

The offshore islands will continue to be aligned with their relevant subregional area. However, as island communities have particular needs and priorities, within the context of the emerging national islands policy, it is envisaged that the LEADER programme can play a key role in delivering on these needs. In recognition of this, a number of important elements will be included in the model for the new programme. Any local action groups, LAGs, selected in an area that includes island communities will be required to identify in their LEADER strategy specific actions, developed in consultation with the island communities, to cater for the challenges faced by those communities. These LAGs must include indicative budgets in their LEADER strategy for the implementation of such actions. In addition, a representative of the island grouping in each subregional area must be included in the decision-making body of the LAG.

It is now important that the key public and private stakeholders in communities throughout Ireland come together in partnership to deliver a LEADER programme that will be coherent with, and build on, existing rural development policies and initiatives throughout the country. The Minister looks forward to seeing the new programme being implemented and to ensuring LEADER can continue to deliver real benefits to rural communities throughout Ireland.

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