Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commit to 50% co-financing of the rural development programme with national funding top-ups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5828/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The objectives and priorities for funding rural development in the period 2014-2020 are set out in the Rural Development legislative proposal which forms part of the overall CAP reform. Negotiations of the CAP reform package have not yet been finalised.

EU funding for the Programme will depend on the outcome of the Multi-annual Financial Framework [MFF] negotiation process which resumes on 7 February. Co-financing rates will also be determined under the MFF negotiations. I will not be in a position to commit to a particular co-financing rate until these negotiations have been finalised. National funding for the programme will be a priority but will be subject to prevailing budgetary constraints.