Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

20. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent to date under the present LEADER programme on projects; the amount spent to date in 2018 on projects by local action groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45956/18]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This question relates to the LEADER programme, which the Minister covered comprehensively in response to Question No. 12, in the name of my colleague, Deputy Brendan Smith. How much money has been spent on LEADER projects so far in 2018?

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I need to find the answer to this question.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister should take his time.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I would rather not go through the same speech again.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister can just give me the figures.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The amount of money spent under the LEADER programme so far in 2018 is €17.6 million.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My question sought the figure after administrative costs are excluded. How much has been spent on the projects?

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We hope that the drawdown by the end of the year will be €26 million. The drawdown to date is €17.6 million.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

How much has been spent on projects so far this year, when expenditure on administration is discounted?

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will read the reply that has been prepared by the Department. The level of project activity under the LEADER programme has ramped up significantly this year. Some 1,450 projects have been approved for funding of more than €46.3 million since the programme commenced. A further 329 project applications, requesting an additional €22.1 million, are at various stages in the approval process. Project payments have increased significantly in recent months as approved works are completed and project promoters submit claims for payment. Approximately €9.3 million in project expenditure has been incurred since the commencement of the programme. More than €8 million of this project expenditure has been incurred in 2018-----

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is the figure I wanted.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

-----compared to just under €700,000 in 2017. I will provide the Deputy with a table with a breakdown of the project expenditure incurred in 2018 in each local action area. The progress being made by the local action groups will result in a continued increase in project approvals and payments under the programme for the rest of this year and beyond. This progress has been assisted by improvements made by the Department to the applications and approvals process in the past year. All these changes have been identified and delivered in consultation with the local action groups.

LEADER 2014-2020 Project Expenditure in 2018 as of 4 November 2018

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I do not wish to ask any supplementary questions.