Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022
740. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional funding will be approved for the LEADER Food Initiative in County Kerry in order to fund a number of projects (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25728/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER Food Initiative is administered at local level by Local Action Groups (LAGs) with overall funding allocated at a national level by my Department. Project applications are in the first instance considered at local level, with subsequent final project approval signed off by my Department on a first come first served basis. As with all funding programmes, there is a finite budget available for allocation under this measure.
With regard to the projects referred to by the Deputy, my Department understands that while a number of applications were being considered by the LAG no project applications were awaiting the final approval of the Department at the time the LEADER Food Initiative funding budget was exhausted in December 2021.
My Department is keeping the delivery and drawdown of funding awarded under the LEADER Food Initiative under review and should any unutilised funding become available as a result of this review, consideration will be given to running a new national funding call later in the year.
