Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to report on the meetings he had regarding the LEADER programme in Strasbourg in November 2025. [68344/25]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to report on the progress of negotiations regarding the next round of LEADER funding in the context of the EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68341/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 53 together.

The LEADER programme has and continues to deliver tangible benefits to rural communities in areas such as economic development and job creation, rural infrastructure, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

Therefore, the development of the EU regulations relating to the post 2027 Common Agricultural Policy, or CAP, and the new National and Regional Partnership Plans is a matter of significant importance to my Department.

Ireland has and will continue to advocate for a well funded CAP that supports farm resilience, environmental ambition, and rural development measures such as LEADER.

Within the draft regulations, the inclusion of the LEADER programme as a CAP intervention is to be welcomed. As part of the on-going negotiation process, my Department continues to emphasise the importance of a ringfenced allocation for the LEADER Programme.

I note that detailed discussions in relation to the shape and operation of the new regulations are on-going at both national and EU levels.

To facilitate the current negotiation process for the post 2027 period, the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine has established a CAP Consultative Committee, which includes representation from my Department.

Separately, while in Strasbourg last week, I met with Irish MEPs to discuss a range of issues including LEADER funding in the context of the next EU budgetary cycle.

I will continue to work with MEPs and my Government colleagues to ensure that the LEADER programme is well funded into the future.