Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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253. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the eligibility criteria for clubs and societies applying under the new LEADER programme; the variances to this scheme by county; and if she will provide a detailed list of this criteria and the timeframes for applications. [18628/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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LEADER funding is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country. The LEADER programme funds projects under three policy themes:

- Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation

- Social Inclusion, and

- Rural Environment.

Applications are considered by the relevant LAG throughout the lifetime of the LEADER 2014-2020 programme on foot of rolling or targeted calls for Expressions of Interest from interested groups and in line with the objectives outlined in the Local Development Strategies of the LAGs.

There are no particular criteria at a national level regarding the clubs and societies that may apply for LEADER funding. The LEADER programme requires that all applicants meet certain eligibility criteria, including that they are financially solvent, they are not excluded from the programme as a result of a previous non-compliance, and the applicant is actively repaying any debt associated with this or previous Rural Development Programmes. In order for a project from any club or society to be eligible for LEADER funding, the project must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the sub-regional area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.

As a first step, clubs and societies wishing to apply for project funding under LEADER should submit an Expression of Interest outlining their proposals to the LAG delivering LEADER in their area. The LAG will then be able to advise of the specific criteria that may apply for projects of a particular nature and the application timeframes involved.

Contact details for the organisations implementing LEADER are available on my Department’s website at: .