Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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517. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding streams are available for the construction of a new public horse stables, similar to those already in place in a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27919/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. It supports a broad range of activities which aim to respond to the diversity of the local needs of our rural areas.

It is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland. A feature of the LEADER programme is that it is based on a community-led, bottom-up approach to rural development.

Funding under the 2023-2027 LEADER programme is not targeted at any particular group or sector in rural communities. It is, rather, focused on a thematic approach to rural development under the headings; Economic Development and Job Creation, Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion, Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. Funding for activities such as that referenced by the Deputy may be available under one of these themes.

In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be located within an area supported by the 2023 - 2027 LEADER programme, that is, all parts of Ireland with the exception of the five main cities of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. The proposed activity must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the sub-regional area concerned and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.

It should also be noted that the LEADER programme does not fund the operational costs of a project such as salary or overheads and does not support the purchase of animals.

Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The Implementing Partner in County Dublin is Fingal LEADER Partnership CLG and may be contacted by phone at 01 8074282 or by emailing info@fingalleaderpartnership.ie