The EAFRD funding for 2014-2022 is programmed through the Rural Development Programme for the same period. The Rural Development Programme is not programmed at a NUTS regions level but rather Ireland is considered as one region. Therefore, the programme allocation and expenditure is not available at NUTS level. Beneficiaries under the programme are primarily farmers and rural communities in rural regions of Ireland. The RDP provides funding based on specific schemes - there is no variation in the payment rates based on location with the exception of the Areas of Natural Constraints scheme, where higher rates are applicable to off-shore farms.
The CAP Strategic Plan will programme the EAFRD expenditure for the period 2023-2027. The plan, which is under development, will consider Ireland as one region along the lines of the current Rural Development Programme. It will be based on a strategic planning process and will consider the needs arising from a SWOT analysis. It is open to Member States to allocate the EAFRD funds to address the needs in accordance with the priorities of the Member State.
