Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 October 2021
237. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will increase the level of funding to the transitional Leader programme to ensure its continuity until the new programme is commenced in 2023 given the high demand under the transitional programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50194/21]
View answerThe LEADER programme is co-financed by the European Commission under Pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), through the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
In line with the Government’s Rural Development Policy for 2021-2025, 'Our Rural Future’, I announced details of a €70 million Transitional LEADER Programme which came into effect last April and will cover the period 2021-2022. €65 million of this budget has been allocated to the LAGs who deliver the programme and approve projects at local level. This allocation covers both core project expenditure and the administration and animation costs of the LAGs. In addition, in the event that a LAG fully utilises their allocation of administration funding, they can avail of a maximum monthly contribution that will be Exchequer funded and will be available to them to the end of 2022.
A further €3 million of the funding has been allocated to support co-operation projects and innovation between LAGs, while the remaining €2 million has been allocated to provide preparatory support for the next LEADER programme. Further funding opportunities under the LEADER Food Initiative remain in place until the entirety of funds are exhausted.
€20 million of this transitional LEADER Programme is funded by the European Union Recovery Instrument, which will enable local communities and enterprises an opportunity to respond in a community-led local development manner to COVID-19.
I am confident that this level of funding will be sufficient to continue the effective operation of the LEADER Programme through the end of 2022. My officials are in ongoing communication with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the development of the new CAP Strategic Plan which will cover the new programming period commencing in 2023.
