Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022
113. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional transitional funding will be allocated for the Leader programme pending the commencement of the new programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17951/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER programme is a key intervention implemented by my Department, which will help to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in Our Rural Future.
I announced details last year of a €70 million Transitional LEADER Programme which came into effect in April 2021 and will cover the period 2021-2022. €65 million of this budget has been allocated to the LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver the programme and approve projects at local level. This allocation covers both core project expenditure and the administration and animation costs of the LAGs. In addition, in the event that a LAG fully utilises their allocation of administration funding, they can avail of a maximum monthly contribution that will be Exchequer funded and will be available to them to the end of 2022.
A further €3 million of the funding has been allocated to support co-operation projects and innovation between LAGs, while the remaining €2 million has been allocated to provide preparatory support for the next LEADER programme.
I am confident that this level of funding will be sufficient to meet the demand for grant funding from rural communities and businesses and to continue the effective operation of the transitional LEADER Programme through to the end of 2022.
