Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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1354. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of Leader funding which has been issued to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15463/18]

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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1355. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated amount of Leader funding expected to be issued by the end of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15464/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1354 and 1355 together.

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 produced 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.  The funding allocation for each 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.

As of 16^thApril 2018, the total amount of Leader funding which has been issued since the commencement of the 2014-2020 Programme is €17,452,596. This includes claims paid to project Promoters and administration fees paid to LAGs.

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.