Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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740. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional funding will be approved for the LEADER Food Initiative in County Kerry in order to fund a number of projects (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25728/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The LEADER Food Initiative is administered at local level by Local Action Groups (LAGs) with overall funding allocated at a national level by my Department. Project applications are in the first instance considered at local level, with subsequent final project approval signed off by my Department on a first come first served basis. As with all funding programmes, there is a finite budget available for allocation under this measure.

With regard to the projects referred to by the Deputy, my Department understands that while a number of applications were being considered by the LAG no project applications were awaiting the final approval of the Department at the time the LEADER Food Initiative funding budget was exhausted in December 2021.

My Department is keeping the delivery and drawdown of funding awarded under the LEADER Food Initiative under review and should any unutilised funding become available as a result of this review, consideration will be given to running a new national funding call later in the year.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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741. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an extension will be granted by her Department to the deadline in respect of a project under the streetscape enhancement scheme (details supplied). [25738/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In August last year, I launched the 2021 Streetscape Enhancement Measure. The aim of the Measure is to improve the visual appearance of our urban streetscapes, which will bring about growth and increase confidence in our towns and villages, and make them more attractive places to reside in. Under the Measure I allocated €7 million to Local Authorities to support activities such as painting (including murals), signage replacement, shopfront improvement, lighting, and canopies.

The original date allocated for the completion of works was mid-November 2021. This date was then extended to 31 December 2021, and Local Authorities were subsequently offered the autonomy to allow works that experienced serious delays a further extension up to until 31 May 2022 to complete.

While it is acknowledged that the project referred to by the Deputy has encountered difficulties which have delayed the commencement of the works, unfortunately no further extensions can be granted. However, it should be noted that there will be a further opportunity for Streetscape works in 2022 and that towns previously included in the 2021 Measure are not precluded from partaking in the Measure in 2022.