Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

635. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which the Leader programme continues to assist urban and rural communities to the development of various support schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49989/23]

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.

The programme includes specific funding themes to support rural economic development, enterprise development, job creation, social inclusion, and the rural environment. Community groups and rural-based businesses can apply for funding under these themes.

Approximately 98% of project funding under the 2014-2020 and Transitional LEADER programmes has been committed by LEADER groups and I am aware that they continue to develop projects ‘in the pipeline’ in order to fully utilise the remaining budget.

Nationally, over 5,700 projects have been approved for funding in excess of €242 million since 2016 when the current LEADER programme became operational. To date, payments of approximately €200 million have been made in respect of these projects.

€250m has been made available for LEADER for the period 2021 to 2027. This is comprised of €70 million for the transitional period 2021 to 2022 and an additional €180 million from 2023 to 2027. This level of funding is evidence of the Government’s continued support for the LEADER programme and matches the €250m provided for LEADER in the corresponding 7 year period from 2014-2020.

With the 2023-2027 LEADER programme coming on-line as the Local Action Groups for the sub-regional areas are approved I am confident that LEADER will continue to play an important role in the future development of communities across Ireland.