Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

The former Minister, Healther Humphreys, did not slash any budget. Within the 2023 to 2027 programme, 38 projects have been funded across all the LAGs in Galway, the vast majority of which - 24 - are actually in Galway East. I have spoken about the work that is under way with the Minister, Deputy Heydon, as Minister for agriculture, but also with the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and I have met with both Ministers to ensure LEADER will be part of the MFF going forward. It will fall to us during our Presidency to move on a lot of these but I have ensured from our Department that LEADER will be a core ask in the context of a new EU budget. That cofunding is absolutely vital. Equally, however, we have to look at the overall allocation to my Department in terms of the Government's commitment to rural development and to schemes that are making a difference right across rural communities on a daily basis, which are making a difference capital-wise. We do not get as much attention for these schemes but we also have to look at the current expenditure that is under way, led by the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, to companies such as Galway Rural Development in terms of community support workers, community development workers and people who are enhancing and strengthening communities in their day-to-day activities.

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