Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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294. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if consideration will be given to a possible offer of funding to support a community based enterprise at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44128/19]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Funding may be available through the LEADER Programme for the type of community based organisation referred to by the Deputy depending on the nature of the proposed activity to be funded.

LEADER is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2020 which is delivered through Local Action Groups in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country. To date, over 2,400 projects have been approved under the current LEADER programme for funding in excess of €91 million.

In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme. 

The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the Local Action Group which administers the programme in each LEADER area.  

I understand that the organisation in question submitted two Expressions of Interest to the Kildare Local Action Group. Following assessment, one was deemed ineligible as the proposed project activity did not qualify for financial support under the LEADER 2014-2020 Operating Rules. 

The second proposal has been deemed eligible and the Local Action Group has invited the promoter to submit a full application for detailed consideration.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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295. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which grant aid support can be offered to support a community based organisation (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44129/19]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Funding may be available through the LEADER Programme for the type of community based organisation referred to by the Deputy, depending on the nature of the proposed activity to be funded.

LEADER is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2020 which is delivered through Local Action Groups in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country. To date, over 2,400 projects have been approved under the current LEADER programme for funding in excess of €91 million.

In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme. 

The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the Local Action Group which administers the programme in each LEADER area.  

I understand that the organisation in question submitted an Expression of Interest to the Kildare Local Action Group in August 2019 and that this is currently under consideration by the Group.