Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

357. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if that funding for the Leader Programme post 2027 will continue to be provided through CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35183/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The current LEADER programme is co-financed by the European Commission under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), through the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development. It is connected to Objective 8 of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP). The total amount of funding allocated to LEADER for the period of 2021-2027 is €250 million, maintaining the level of funding of the previous 2014-2020 programming period.

The European Commission is expected to publish the draft post-2027 CAP regulations later this year, after the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposals in mid-July 2025. As part of the CAP and MFF negotiations progress, Ireland will continue to advocate for a distinct, two pillar and ring-fenced EU funding programme for the CAP that supports farm resilience, environmental ambition, and rural development measures such as LEADER. My Department will work closely with colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as part of this process and in respect of the future LEADER programme.