Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

432. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the totality of the funds requested and drawn down by her Department from EU sources in respect of covid-19 in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form (details supplied). [30229/24]

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

My Department manages European Union funding under the LEADER Programme, the PEACE Programme, and the European Social Fund. No elements of the PEACE Programme or the European Social Fund relate to funding in respect of Covid-19.

In relation to the LEADER Programme, €20 million in funding was allocated in July 2021 through the European Union’s Recovery Instrument (EURI) fund to support rural communities and private businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The purpose of this funding was to provide local communities and enterprises with an opportunity to respond to the emerging challenges and to support measures that encouraged employment and job creation while also providing resources for communities and community groups to respond, recover and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding supported locally-led projects, with the decision on awarding EURI aid resting with the Local Action Groups (LAGs).

A total of 375 projects were approved for EURI funding by the LAGs with all projects to be completed by 31st March 2024. As such, the process for recoupment of funds is ongoing.