Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2025
1185. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if additional or unspent LEADER funding can be allocated to the Kerry LAG given programme budgets are depleted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63690/25]
View answerMy Department is responsible for the LEADER programme, which is part of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan covering 2023 to 2027, and which is co-funded by the EU and the Exchequer.
The LEADER programme is administered by Local Action Groups, or LAGs, on behalf of the Department and has been at the heart of rural development in Ireland for over 30 years. It plays an important role in supporting local projects which bring renewed life, jobs and services to our rural communities, including those in County Kerry.
LEADER funding is allocated to LAGs at the beginning of each LEADER programme to provide them with greater flexibility in selecting and approving projects which will have a meaningful impact in their areas.
As you will be aware, €180 million of funding has been committed to the 2023 - 2027 LEADER programme. The LAG with responsibility for the delivery of LEADER in Kerry has received an allocation of almost €8.2 million. The budget comprises of over €6.1 million to support community and business projects, with the remainder covering their animation and administration costs associated with delivering the programme.
To date, the Kerry LAG has approved over 100 projects for funding under their 2023-2027 allocation with a value of over €4.7 million. Although 11% of projects have been completed to date, over 90 projects worth some €4.2 million remain to be completed. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of the current programme emerge over the coming months and years, as these projects are delivered.
Whilst there are no plans to increase the budget allocations under the current programme, funding for the LEADER programme should be considered in the context of the expanding capital allocations made available in recent years under my Department's Rural Development Investment Programme. Under these measures communities in Kerry have benefited from funding in areas such as town regeneration, the development of community facilities, and the enhancement of outdoor recreation facilities.
