Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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915. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the Leader Programme 2023 to 2027; the amount of investment that will be available to provide funding in rural environment and support change mitigation initiatives and the high-level ambitions of Leader 2023-2027 as outlined in the draft Common Agriculture Policy strategic plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17692/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Rural and Community Development has delegated responsibility for the LEADER programme on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The LEADER programme will continue to be a key component of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) from 2023, and I am committed to ensuring that the programme continues to play a central role in delivering on the Government’s vision for rural Ireland as set out in Our Rural Future. Indeed, the widespread public consultation undertaken by the Department of Rural and Community Development in the preparation of Our Rural Future clearly highlighted the vital role that LEADER continues to play.

Indicative themes for support include economic development and job creation, rural infrastructure and social inclusion, sustainable development, and climate mitigation and adaptation. Officials from both Departments have engaged frequently, and with the European Commission, on the structure and design of the new LEADER programme.

An allocation of €180 million has been made to the LEADER Programme for the 2023-2027 period as part of the new CAP Strategic Plan. In conjunction with the funding of €70 million for the LEADER Transitional Programme over the 2021-2022 period, this allocation will result in total funding of €250 million being made available for LEADER over the seven years to 2027. This maintains the level of funding provided over the 2014-2020 programming period.