Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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234. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the spend in 2017 under the Leader programme, broken down between projects, administration and animation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10710/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Expenditure to date in 2017 under the LEADER 2014-2020 programme amounts to €689,201. This is a combined amount for administration and animation costs incurred by the Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver the programme. Up to 25% of total expenditure incurred by the LAGs over the duration of the programme may be claimed in respect of administration and animation costs. My Department also made a payment of €15,413 in January 2017 in respect of a project completed in December 2016 which was approved under the 2007-2013 LEADER programme.

No project expenditure has yet been incurred under the LEADER 2014-2020 programme in 2017. However, the LAGs are currently concluding calls for proposals and are working with potential applicants to develop and finalise project applications in each LEADER sub-regional area. I anticipate a significant increase in project approvals and payments over the coming months.

A total of €40 million has been provided in my Department’s Estimate for the LEADER programme this year.