Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2016
122. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the maximum grant allowed for any project under the Leader programme 2014-2020; the maximum rate of grant available for projects; the restrictions that will apply to any matching State or local authority funding for the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30133/16]
View answerThe maximum grant allowed and the maximum rate of grant available for projects under the LEADER 2014-2020 Programme are set out in Table 1.
In addition, it is expected that funding of up to €500,000 will be permitted for certain categories of community projects that are not considered to involve State Aid. These categories include projects seeking to develop cultural and leisure facilities (such as community and recreational infrastructure), and projects seeking to enhance the attractiveness of small towns and villages, such as the upgrade of parks or river walks. Final confirmation of the funding limits applicable to these categories will shortly be made available to LEADER Local Action Groups.
Matching funding from public funded sources is permitted, provided it is not derived from another EU fund. The use of public matching funding is subject to a number of conditions which include the following:
- only applications submitted by community bodies are eligible;
- the overall level of public funding (including the EU contribution) does not exceed 95% of the total eligible project cost;
- there must be a minimum cash contribution (i.e. private matching funding element) of at least 5% of total eligible project costs; and
- the public bodies providing the matching funds must not be the project applicant or beneficiary.
Table 1 - Summary of Current Funding Ceilings and Support Rates
|
Type of Project |
Applicant |
Maximum Rate of Aid |
Maximum Funding |
|
Investment & other supports (including animation undertaken as part of the implementation of a project) |
Private |
Up to a maximum of 50% |
€200,000 |
|
Investment & other supports (including animation undertaken as part of the implementation of a project) |
Community |
Up to a maximum of 75% |
€200,000 |
|
Community under basic services targeted at hard to reach communities sub-theme |
Up to a maximum of 90% |
€200,000 |
|
|
Analysis and Development |
Private |
Up to a maximum of 75% |
€30,000 |
|
Community |
Up to a maximum of 90% |
||
|
Training |
Private or Community |
Up to a maximum of 100% |
€200,000 |
