Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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240. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount approved for projects by each local action group, LAG, under the present Leader programme; the amount expended to date by each LAG under the present Leader programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52466/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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LEADER is a multi-annual EU co-funded programme to support rural development. Ireland has an allocation of €250 million under the programme over the period 2014-2020, including both national and EU funding. The programme is administered by Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver funding in accordance with Local Development Strategies that have been agreed for each LAG area.

Funding Agreements for the current LEADER programme were, for the most part, signed with the LAGs in the second half of 2016 and the programme effectively became operational from that date. There was no project expenditure on the new LEADER programme prior to 2017, although funding was provided to the LAGs to develop their Local Development Strategies and to prepare for the implementation phase of the programme.

As of 6 December 2017, 546 projects with a value of over €14.4 million have been approved for LEADER funding by the LAGs.

Appendix 1provides details of these projects by each Local Action Group.

A further 402 projects requesting over €18 million in funding are at various stages in the approval process. This funding will be drawn down as projects start to incur expenditure and submit payment claims.

Appendix 2details the overall expenditure incurred to date under the 2014-2020 LEADER Programme in each LAG area. The figure of €13.263 million includes expenditure on Preparatory Support, Administration (which includes Animation), and Project expenditure.

I am confident that progress now being made by the LAGs, along with the administrative changes which have been introduced following the LEADER Forum hosted earlier in the year, will result in a continued increase in project approvals and substantial payments being made under the LEADER programme over the coming months.

Appendix 1 PQ 52466

LEADER Projects Approved by each LAG at 6 December 2017

Appendix 2 – LEADER 2014-2020 Programme Expenditure 2015 to 6 December 2017