Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 November 2019
262. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the clubs, groups and organisations that have received funding under the LEADER RDP programme in County Wicklow 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. [49250/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER programme is administered in County Wicklow by the Wicklow Local Action Group (LAG).
The Funding Agreement for the LEADER 2014-2020 programme was signed with the Wicklow LAG in July 2016. The programme effectively became operational in County Wicklow from this date. The total amount of funding allocated to County Wicklow for the duration of the LEADER programme to 2020 is in excess of €6.3 million.
No projects were approved for funding is this LAG area in 2016 or 2017 as the initial focus of the LAG was to work with potential project promoters to develop 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 Wicklow.
The Wicklow LAG has now approved 61 projects applications to a value of over €2.2 million. A further 11 applications, requesting funding in excess of €1.5 million, are at earlier stages in the approvals 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 Group in County Wicklow are available on-line at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b849be-local-action-groups-approved-projects-2014-2020/.
