Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2019
580. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the clubs, groups and organisations that have received funding under the LEADER programme in County Galway in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the level of funding provided to each group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43131/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER programme in County Galway is administered by two Local Action Groups (LAGs).
The Galway West LAG, Forum Connemara CLG, covers the Connemara region and the off-shore Islands. The Galway East LAG, Galway Rural Development CLG, covers the municipal districts to the east of Galway City.
The Funding Agreement for the LEADER 2014-2020 programme was signed with Forum Connemara in October 2016, while the Funding Agreement with Galway Rural Development was signed in April 2017. The programme effectively became operational in County Galway from these dates.
The total amount of funding allocated to County Galway for the duration of the LEADER programme to 2020 is in excess of €12.1 million. €4.5 million of this is allocated to the Galway West LAG, and €7.6 million is allocated to the Galway East LAG.
No projects were approved for funding is these LAG areas in 2016 or 2017 as the initial focus of the LAGs was to work with potential project promoters to develop project ideas and bring forward proposals for funding. However, there has been a significant increase in project approvals nationally since the start of 2018, and this is also evident in County Galway.
The Galway East LAG has now approved 61 projects applications to a value of over €2 million. A further 17 projects, requesting funding in excess of €603,000 are at earlier stages in the approvals process.
The Galway West LAG has approved funding of over €1.5 million to 48 projects, while a further 4 projects seeking almost €500,000 in funding are at earlier stages in the process.
Payments under the programme will increase significantly as these projects are completed and payment claims are submitted.
Details of all projects funded by the LEADER Local Action Groups in County Galway are available on-line at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b849be-local-action-groups-approved-projects-2014-2020/.
