Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
1327. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extra funding allocated under the forthcoming LEADER programme to counties with inhabited offshore islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55181/22]
View answerLEADER is a key programme within Our Rural Future, and as I announced recently the Expression of Interest stage to select the Groups to deliver the next LEADER programme is now open. The allocations for each LEADER area were also announced as part of this process.
€180 million has been committed to the new LEADER programme for 2023-2027. When taken together with the €70m provided by the Government for 2021 and 2022, this maintains the €250m funding for LEADER in the corresponding 7 year programme period of 2014-2020.
A number of factors were considered when deciding on the funding allocations. These included providing a minimum allocation of €3 million to each sub-regional area with the remaining funding distributed based on population density and level of deprivation of the area. The off-shore islands will continue to be aligned with their relevant sub-regional area with the funding provision for the islands included in the overall allocation for the sub-regional area based on the population density and level of deprivation of the county as a whole.
However, I am aware that island communities have particular needs and priorities and, within the context of the emerging National Islands Policy, I envisage that the LEADER programme can play a key role in delivering on these needs.
In recognition of this, a number of important elements are included in the model for the new programme.
Any LAGs selected in an area that includes island communities will be required to identify in their LEADER strategy specific actions developed in consultation with the island communities themselves and include an indicative budget to implement such actions.
In addition, a representative of the island grouping, in each sub-regional area, must be included in the decision-making body of the LAG.
It is important that the key public and private stakeholders in communities across Ireland come together in partnership to deliver the new LEADER programme.
I look forward to seeing the new programme being implemented and to ensuring that LEADER can continue to deliver real benefits to rural communities across Ireland including our island communities.
