LEADER Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020

Thursday, 5 November 2020

Ceisteanna (23, 33)

James O'Connor

Ceist:

23. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding being provided for the LEADER programme in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34168/20]

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

33. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the breakdown of the €44 million announced for LEADER in the 2021 budget; the amount that will be directed for payment on allocations up to the end of December 2020; the amount that will be used for payments on allocation to be made in 2021; the amount envisaged to be directed to new projects commencing in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34166/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 33 together.

The current 2014-2020 LEADER programme will come to an end this year. Due to delays at EU level, the next EU LEADER programme will not commence until 2022 at the earliest.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to prioritise a State-led programme to bridge the gap between the current LEADER programme and the next EU programme. The details of this Transitional Programme are currently being finalised.

The total budget for the LEADER programme next year is €44 million. This allocation will be used to fund a combination of existing projects as they come to completion, for new projects to be approved under the Transitional Programme, and to support the administration costs of the Local Action Groups in closing out the existing programme and delivering the Transitional Programme.

It is important to recognise that LEADER is a multi-annual programme and that payments in respect of projects which are approved in any given year are generally not drawn down until subsequent years as they are completed. Therefore, costs related to projects under the Transitional Programme are likely to be met from the provision in my Department’s Vote in 2022 and 2023, as well as 2021.

I hope to be in a position shortly to announce the details of the Transitional Programme which will come into effect in 2021, including the amount allocated for new project activity.