Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
668. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider allowing an extension to a LEADER project under the Leitrim Development Company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22925/24]
View answerThe 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 is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland. The programme is based on a community-led approach to rural development and plays an important role in supporting communities and enterprises in progressing job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects at local level.
The 2014-2022 LEADER programme is nearing completion with the majority of approved projects fully completed. My Department has outlined the key dates for the closure of this programme to the LAGs. The final date for completion of works on all approved projects under the 2014-2022 LEADER programme was 31 March 2024, and all claims for payment are required to be submitted to the Department for payment no later than 30 June 2024. These dates were set to ensure the smooth wind up of that programme and ensure that the LAGs could commence the roll out of the 2023-2027 LEADER programme at the earliest possible date.
As the timeframe mentioned by the Deputy for the extension of this project falls considerably beyond the period provided to finalise the 2014-2022 programme, I regret it is not possible to grant the extension requested.
