Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2023
740. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the upcoming LEADER programme; the budget for this programme; and what headings projects will be funded under. [32788/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development launched in 2021, which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. The programme is based on a community-led approach to rural development and plays an important role in supporting communities and enterprises in progressing job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects at local level.
The process to select Local Actions Groups(LAGs) to deliver the 2023-2027 LEADER programme is under way at present. Applicants groups are due to submit completed their Local Development Strategy (LDS) for consideration by 14th July 2023. The first LAGs will be operational by the end of August. Full details of the selection process is available on my Department’s website.
€250m has been made available for the LEADER programme for the period 2021 to 2027. This is comprised of €70 million for the transitional period 2021 to 2022 and an additional €180 million from 2023 to 2027, thus maintaining the level of funding provided for the 2014-2020 programming period.
The LEADER programme supports a broad range of activities which aim to respond to the diversity of the local needs of our rural areas. The proposed actions will be outlined by the LAGs in their LDS which are currently being developed in consultation with the communities.
The headings or themes under which projects will be supported for the 2023-2027 period are:
• Economic Development and Job Creation
• Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion
• Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.
I look forward to seeing the new LEADER programme fully up and running and continuing to make real impacts in rural communities across Ireland.
