Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2637. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the allocation of LEADER funding in Westmeath; the amount allocated to groups within the county to date; and the level of funding that remains to be allocated. [33931/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER programme is administered in Co. Westmeath by the Westmeath Local Community Development Committee, which acts as the Local Action Group (LAG) in partnership with Westmeath County Council and Westmeath Community Development Ltd.
The total amount of funding allocated to the county for the duration of the 2014-2020 LEADER programme is in excess of €7.3 million. This includes project funding, the administration costs of the LAG, and costs incurred by the LAG in supporting the development of projects.
The project allocation for Co. Westmeath is €5,563,495. To date, 60 projects have been approved for funding of €1,897,266 representing 34% of the available budget. A further 6 project applications requesting €438,761 are currently at various stages of the approvals process.
The remaining project budget of over €3 million is available to be allocated to projects up to the end of 2020. The LAG in Westmeath has indicated that at least 60% of its project budget will be allocated by the end of 2019, with the remainder being allocated in 2020.
Total project expenditure to date on LEADER projects in Co. Westmeath amounts to €402,401. However, the level of expenditure will increase in the coming months as approved works are completed and claims for payment are submitted by the project promoters.
