Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1964. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when it is intended to go to tender for the delivery of the Leader Programme for the CAP period 2021-2027; if in the meantime it is intended to make further interim funding available to the existing LAGs for the delivery of further projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20867/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The LEADER Programme is one of the key interventions of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development launched last year.

The draft CAP Strategic Plan, which includes LEADER, was submitted to the EU Commission by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine at the end of December 2021. This is in line with the timelines set by the EU Commission. 

The process of negotiating and agreeing the plan with the EU Commission has thus commenced.  The timeline for implementation of the new LEADER Programme, including the selection of new Local Development Strategies, is closely linked to this process.

Accordingly, my officials will continue to work closely with colleagues from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and the EU Commission over the coming months with a view to obtaining approval for the CAP Strategic Plan, as a matter of priority. 

The €70 million Transitional LEADER Programme came into effect in April 2021 and will cover the period 2021 and 2022. €65 million of this budget has been allocated to the LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver the programme and approve projects at local level.  This allocation covers both core project expenditure and the administration and animation costs of the LAGs. In addition, in the event that a LAG fully utilises their allocation of administration funding, they can avail of a maximum monthly contribution that will be Exchequer funded and will be available to them to the end of 2022.

A further €3 million of the funding has been allocated to support co-operation projects and innovation between LAGs, while the remaining €2 million has been allocated to provide preparatory support for the next LEADER programme.

The project funding available under the Transitional LEADER Programme continues to be allocated by the LAGs on an ongoing basis.  I am confident that the level of funding available will be sufficient to meet the demand from rural communities and businesses and to continue the effective operation of the Transitional LEADER Programme through to the end of 2022.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1965. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if it is intended that one dedicated LAG will deliver the LEADER programme on the islands for the next LEADER Programme, as heretofore; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20868/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The LEADER Programme is one of the key interventions of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development launched last year.

An indicative budget of €180 million has been announced for the LEADER programme for the period 2023-2027. When taken together with the €70 million already provided for 2021 and 2022 under the Transitional LEADER Programme, a total of €250 million will be made available for the 2021 - 2027 period, thus maintaining the level of funding provided for the 2014-2020 programming period. The maintenance of the €250m funding allocation will underpin the continued contribution of the LEADER approach in delivering on the Government’s vision for Rural Ireland.

Preparations for the design and delivery of the next LEADER programme from 2023-2027 are well underway and there is ongoing engagement between my officials and stakeholders in this regard.  

Decisions relating to the areas to be covered by the Local Action Groups will be considered as part of the ongoing programme design phase. 

The ongoing engagement and consultation with stakeholders, combined with the funding allocation of €250 million indicated, will ensure that the LEADER programme from 2023 will continue to support and further develop our rural communities and businesses including our island communities.