Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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373. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when interim funding will be allocated to LEADER in County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43623/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, due to delays at EU level, there will be a delay between the end of the current LEADER programme, which was due to conclude at the end of this year, and the next EU programme which will not now commence until 2023. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a transitional LEADER programme to bridge that gap.

Earlier today, I announced details of the Transitional LEADER Programme, which will come into effect from 1^stApril 2021 for new project approvals. I also announced some flexibilities to the current LEADER programme, including extending the deadline for commitments to the end of March 2021 to facilitate the full allocation of the funds available.

I have provided an initial allocation of €20 million for the Transitional LEADER Programme, which will fund both new project applications and the administration and project animation costs of the Local Action Groups who will deliver the programme.

My Department is writing to all of the Local Action Groups, providing a detailed outline of the Transitional Programme, including their respective financial allocations.

Full details of today’s announcement are available on my Department’s pages of the Gov.ie website.