Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raise the new Leader programme 2014 to 2020. I wish to ascertain the level of funding that will be available from the State to co-fund the moneys available under the European Commission proposals. It is my understanding that the new Leader programme will involve 54% of EU funding which will require 46% of national funding to be secured. That will mean a cut in the region of €87 million to Leader funding. Overall funding has been reduced from €370 million from €283 million under the current Leader programme. That amounts to a cut of approximately 23%. I hope that is not the case and that the Minister will clarify what discussions are taking place, what level of funding will be put in place and what efforts are being made. The funding comes under the remit of the Common Agricultural Policy. While I appreciate that it is a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and that is the Department engaged in the negotiations, the reason I raise the issue is because the Leader programme comes within the remit of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

I raise the alignment process as a caveat to the funding issue. Concern has been expressed by local development companies around the country at the proposed alignment process by which Leader funding will come under the remit of local authorities. I would like an update from the Minister as to what is happening. The crux of the issue is the funding that will be available. There is currently a stop-gap arrangement as funding under the previous Leader programme has run out and local community development organisations who administer the current scheme are not able to fund new projects. Given the lack of opportunity for community groups to apply for funding, is there a mechanism by which funding can be made available? What level of funding remains to be drawn down in the current Leader programme? The Minister might not have the answers tonight but I seek clarification on the questions asked.