Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
916. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to LEADER programmes in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2017; the level of funding to be provided for these programmes in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12657/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraLEADER is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2020, with a total budget of €250 million over that period. €220 million of this funding has already been allocated to the Local Action Groups throughout the country who deliver the LEADER programme. The remaining €30 million is available for schemes which will be delivered at a national level.
Funding agreements for delivery of the LEADER Programme in the Cavan and Monaghan sub-regional areas were both signed on 8 July 2016. Funding of approximately €8.5 million was allocated to the Cavan sub-regional area and €7.6 million was allocated to the Monaghan sub-regional area. The allocation for each LEADER sub-regional area is provided for the duration of the programme rather than on an annual basis. This provides greater flexibility to the Local Action Groups in managing their resources.
Overall, 834 projects with a value of €23.6 million have been approved to date under the LEADER programme across all LAG areas. A further 243 projects, with a value of €14 million, are at various stages in the approvals process.
I anticipate that there will be a significant increase in project expenditure over the course of 2018 based on the progress which has been made by the LAGs in approving projects in recent months. My Department has also introduced a number of administrative improvements to the LEADER programme which will assist LAGs and project promoters in their delivery of the programme.
