Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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1212. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown between EU versus Exchequer funding in the allocation of €180 million for the Leader programme in the indicative allocations for pillar II (rural development) measures. [52556/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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An indicative allocation of €180 million has been made to the LEADER Programme for the 2023-2027 period under the CAP Strategic Plan. In conjunction with the funding of €70 million for the LEADER Transitional Programme announced earlier this year, this indicative allocation will result in total funding of €250 million being made available for LEADER over the seven-year period 2021-2027. This maintains the level of funding provided over the 2014-2020 programming period.

In accordance with Article 92(1) of the draft CAP Strategic Plan regulation, “At least 5% of the total EAFRD contribution to the CAP Strategic Plan as set out in Annex XI shall be reserved for LEADER”. The €180m financial allocation for LEADER over the 2023-27 period will consist of €77.9m (43.28%) funding from EAFRD with the remainder funded by the National exchequer.

The annual financial allocation to LEADER is the same as for the 2014-2020 RDP and while the EAFRD co-funding rate has reduced, the national exchequer funding has increased in order to maintain the budget for LEADER.