Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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546. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on the cut of 21% in the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development at EU level for the multi-annual financial framework, MFF, programme 2021-27, as referenced in COM (2018) 321, compared to the 2014-20 programme; if the cut to the EU co-financing element of Leader will be bridged with Exchequer contributions over the 2021-27 period; and if not, the reason therefor. [22521/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The European Commission has proposed, as part of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027, that the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) would be allocated approximately €78.8 billion for the period 2021-2027. I understand that this represents a reduction in the region of 15% on the current period, although there are a number of different percentages being suggested depending on the approach used to compare the 2021-2027 MFF proposal with the level of funding currently being provided.

It should be noted that the proposal published by the European Commission is the initial MFF proposal. The final outcome will be determined by negotiations at EU level over the coming year.  Achieving Ireland’s priorities in these negotiations will be a key issue for the Government.

A decision regarding the level of funding to be provided for the various elements of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme, including LEADER, will be made following the conclusion of the MFF negotiations.