Cathal Crowe
Ceist:2047. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on a proposal regarding LEADER funding (details supplied). [35097/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMonday, 9 September 2024
Ceisteanna (2047)
Freagraí scríofa
LEADER is a rural development programme co-funded by the EU that operates a locally-led, bottom-up approach to meeting the needs of local communities and businesses. The programme supports private enterprises and community groups in rural areas.
From 2007 to 2020 the LEADER programme was included in the suite of measures that constituted Ireland’s Rural Development Programme. The Rural Development Programmes, agreed by each Member State with the EU Commission, were designed to correspond to specified Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) programming periods. The CAP programming periods in turn correspond to the EU's budgetary cycle. The Rural Development Programme has now been replaced by each Member State’s CAP Strategic Plan.
The previous CAP programming period ran from 2014-2020 with a transitional programme operating in the years 2021 and 2022 as the CAP Regulations were being agreed and finalised at EU level. Throughout this time the LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs) accepted and approved funding applications from prospective applicants with the final date for project approvals set at 31 December 2023.
The current CAP programming period will run from 2023-2027 and it is expected that arrangements will be agreed at EU level for a successor programme to commence thereafter. The 2023-2027 LEADER programme is now operational and prospective applicants can apply for funding under the programme by contacting their LAG to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The contact details for the Local Action Group in Clare are as follows:
Phone: 065 6866800
General Email: info@cldc.ie
Address: Unit 1, Westgate Business Park, Kilrush Road, Ennis, Co. Clare.