Rural Development Plan

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020

Thursday, 5 November 2020

Questions (349, 350, 351)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

349. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the provisions in place for funding for the LEADER projects in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34384/20]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

350. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans for funding for the delivery and administration for the LEADER projects due to the fact that there is no funding identifiable in budget 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34385/20]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

351. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans for funding for the Rural Development Plan 2021 – 2023 due to the fact that there is no interim rural development plan announcement in budget 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34386/20]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I propose to take Questions Nos. 349, 350 and 351 together.

The current LEADER programme comes to an end this year as far as new project approvals are concerned. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to prioritise a State-led programme to bridge the gap between the current LEADER programme and the next EU programme, which will not commence until 2022 at the earliest.

The objective of this commitment is to allow rural development projects to continue to be delivered under a Transitional Programme, using the LEADER model, until the new EU programme commences.

The duration of the transitional period at EU level has not yet been agreed. We are therefore planning for Ireland’s Transitional Programme to run for an initial period of 12 months, but with the scope to extend this if necessary, to align with the outcome of the discussions at EU level between the Commission and the Parliament.

The total allocation for LEADER next year is €44 million. This allocation will be used to fund existing projects as they come to completion and submit payment claims. It will also fund new projects to be approved under the Transitional Programme, and it will support the administration costs of the LAGs in closing out the existing programme and delivering the Transitional Programme.

It is important to recognise that LEADER is a multi-annual programme and that payments in respect of projects which are approved in any given year are generally not drawn down until subsequent years as the projects are completed. Therefore, costs related to projects under the Transitional Programme are likely to be met from the provision in my Department’s Vote in 2022 and 2023, as well as in 2021.

The design, duration and composition of the Transitional Programme are currently being finalised and I hope to be in a position shortly to announce the full details of project and administration allocations under the Programme.