Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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56. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to Leader programmes in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2017; the level of funding to be provided for these programmes in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8703/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Leader is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2020, with a total budget of €250 million over that period. €220 million of this funding has already been allocated to the Local Action Groups throughout the country who deliver the Leader programme. The remaining €30 million is available for schemes which will be delivered at a national level.

The Funding Agreements for delivery of the Leader Programme in the Cavan and Monaghan sub-regional areas were signed on 8 July 2016, with funding of approximately €8.5 million and €7.6 million respectively approved over the lifetime of the programme. The allocation for each Leader sub-regional area is provided for the duration of the programme rather than on an annual basis. This provides greater flexibility to the Local Action Groups in managing their resources.

A total of €40 million has been provided in the 2018 Estimates to support the Leader programme; reflecting voted provision of €35m supplemented by capital carryover of €5m.

I am satisfied this level of budgetary provision is in line with anticipated activity under the Leader Programme in 2018. My Department will be keeping this under review.