Michael Moynihan
Question:82. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the delivery of the 2023-2027 LEADER programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41169/23]
View answerTuesday, 26 September 2023
Questions (82)
Written answers
The LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. It supports a broad range of activities which aim to respond to the diversity of the local needs of our rural areas.
€250 million has been made available for the LEADER programme for the period 2021 to 2027. This is comprised of €70 million for the transitional period 2021 to 2022 and an additional €180 million from 2023 to 2027, thus maintaining the level of funding provided for the 2014-2020 programming period.
The process to select the Local Action Groups (LAGs) to deliver the 2023-2027 LEADER Programme in each area is ongoing at present and the Local Development Strategies which were submitted by the applicant LAGs in July are currently being assessed.
I recently announced the approval of the first two LAGs to deliver the 2023-2027 LEADER programme which are in counties Carlow and Tipperary. My Department’s focus now is to complete the selection of the remaining LAGs to ensure a timely and smooth transition from the 2014-2020 programme.
Question No. 83 answered orally.