Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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560. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount his Department has spent since being established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41424/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the Deputy’s question relates to my Department’s programmes and grant schemes, as distinct from the payroll and administrative costs.

The 2017 spend to date for my Department's programmes and grant schemes is €75.1 million.

Typically, the bulk of expenditure on capital programmes occurs in the latter half of the year. In 2017, the majority of expenditure on these programmes is profiled to occur in the latter half of the year.  For example, successful projects under the CLÁR and Rural Recreation programmes were announced between May and June of this year, and payments will be drawn-down as these projects are delivered.

Since June, the number of project approvals under LEADER has increased significantly, with well over 200 projects fully approved for grant aid of over €6 million. This compares to approvals with a grant aid of less than €1 million in the previous 6 months.  This funding will be drawn down as projects start to incur expenditure and submit payment claims.

It is expected that the allocations in relation to the Rapid and Libraries Development Programmes will be fully expended by year end, while successful projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme will be announced shortly.