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EU Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021

Tuesday, 7 December 2021

Questions (71, 79)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

71. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total allocation to the Leader programme for the last two CAP periods; the proposed allocation for the forthcoming CAP period; the years covered by each programme; the date on which each programme commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60222/21]

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Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

79. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total allocation to the Leader programme for the last two CAP periods; the proposed allocation for the forthcoming CAP period; the years covered by each programme; the date on which each programme commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60246/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 79 together.

LEADER is a rural development programme co-funded by the EU that operates a locally-led, bottom-up approach to meeting the needs of local communities and businesses. The programme supports private enterprises and community groups in rural areas.

From 2007 to 2020, LEADER was included in the suite of measures that constituted Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP). The Rural Development Programmes agreed by each Member State with the EU Commission were designed to correspond to specified Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) programming periods. The CAP programming periods in turn correspond to the EU's budgetary cycle. The Rural Development Programme will now be replaced by each Member State’s CAP Strategic Plan.

As part of the 2007 to 2013 CAP programming period, LEADER was included as a number of linked measures under Axis 4 of the RDP. The LEADER allocation for the 2007 to 2013 CAP programming period was almost €400 million. This was subsequently revised in 2013, due to a downturn in the national economy, to €377m on foot of the agreement by the EU Commission of a formal amendment to the 2007-2013 RDP. Contracts for delivery of LEADER interventions were signed by Local Action Groups from January, 2009 with preparatory financial support provided in advance of that.

For the 2014-2020 CAP programming period, LEADER was included as Measure 19 of the RDP. The LEADER allocation for the 2014 to 2020 CAP programming period was €250 million. Contracts for delivery of LEADER interventions were signed by Local Action Groups from July 2016, with preparatory financial support provided in advance of that.

The next CAP programming period was due to run from 2021 to 2027. However, due to delays in agreeing the required regulations at EU level, a transition period was agreed for the years 2021 and 2022. €70m has been assigned to LEADER in this transition period. An indicative allocation of €180m has recently being announced for LEADER for the years 2023 to 2027, bringing the total allocated for LEADER to the original 2021 to 2027 CAP programming period to €250m.

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