Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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311. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a group (details supplied) can expect further allocations for LEADER funding to advance expression of interest applications on file; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22716/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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LEADER is a multi-annual programme with a budget of €250 million over the period 2014-2020. €225 million of this budget was allocated at the outset of the programme to Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver the programme and approve projects at local level. This allocation covers both core project expenditure and the administration costs of the LAG.

The balance of €25 million in the LEADER budget is provided for thematic projects allocated at national level once the projects have been approved by the LAGs in the first instance.

The LAG in Co. Cavan is the Cavan Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in partnership with Cavan County Council and Breffni Integrated CLG. The total amount of funding allocated to the LAG in Cavan for the duration of the LEADER Programme is in excess of €8.5 million.

So far, the LAG in Cavan has allocated over 82%, or €5.62 million, of its core project budget to 95 applicants. This leaves a further €1.22 million available to be allocated to successful project applicants before the end of 2020.

No additional funding is available for allocation to the LAGs for core project expenditure under the current LEADER programme. However, LAGs can still apply for funding through the national thematic LEADER Food Initiative. This funding stream may be an appropriate source for some of the expressions of interest held by the group referred to by the Deputy. Further details of the Food Initiative are included in the LEADER Operating Guidelines which are available to all LAGs.