Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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139. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money that remains for sanctioning in respect of projects under the LEADER programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28198/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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During 2011, the European Commission approved a change in the maximum co-funding rate from 55% to 85% for the LEADER elements of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme but only for expenditure incurred in 2012 and 2013. This had the effect of reducing the available funding under the Programme from €427 million to an estimated €370 million. The exact value of the Programme will not be known until the end of the year when the final figure for expenditure in 2013 is established. A revised financial plan will be submitted to the European Commission late this year reflecting the up-to-date Programme value.

To date, the Local Development Companies (LDCs) have committed €228 million on projects and spent €54 million of administration/ animation (€42 million of this on administration). Up to €74 million, 20% of each LDC’s total Programme expenditure, can be spent on administration. However, I have advised all LDCs that they should aim to spend substantially less than the allowed 20% on administration. This gives a balance of approximately €88 million remaining to be committed on projects and spent on administration.