Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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382. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the percentage of the Leader budget which has been spent on administration costs to date; the way this compares to each other country participating in the Leader programme, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11461/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s LEADER programme 2014-2020 has a total budget of €250 million over the lifetime of the programme. In line with Article 35 of EU Regulation 1303/2015, up to 25% of total expenditure incurred by LEADER Local Action Groups may be claimed in respect of administration and animation costs over the duration of the 2014-2020 programme.

Approximately €1.8 million has been spent on administration and animation costs by Local Action Groups in Ireland since the commencement of the 2014-2020 LEADER programme, with most of this expenditure being incurred in 2016. In addition, approximately €1.4 million in total has been provided in preparatory support for the development of the LEADER Local Development Strategies in each LEADER area.

No project expenditure has yet been incurred under the LEADER 2014-2020 programme. However, the Local Action Groups 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.

Figures in relation to the administration and animation costs of LEADER Local Action Groups in other countries participating in the LEADER Programme are not available in my Department. However, the ceiling of 25% of total programme expenditure for administration and animation costs applies to all Member States.