Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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Under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007 - 2013, €7.23 million has been expended to date by Louth Leader Partnership. The EU rules and regulations governing the programme allow for expenditure to end 2015. In this regard, Local Action Group contracts expire on 31 December 2015 and accordingly all projects must be completed, claimed and paid to the promoter by this date. All project promoters have been advised by Local Action Groups of this date.

My Department recently notified Local Action Groups, including Louth Leader Partnership, that it will provide transitional administration funding from January to March 2016 to allow for the orderly closure of the current programme. It is expected that the 2014 - 2020 LEADER local development strategy selection process will be completed in the majority of areas by March 2016 and that the new Programme will be operational thereafter.