Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
68. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his views on the position of the LEADER programme in the context of the future of the Common Agricultural Policy post-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22905/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER programme delivers tangible benefits to rural communities in areas such as economic development and job creation, rural infrastructure, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
It is funded as an intervention under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and, therefore, the development of the EU regulations relating to the post 2027 CAP, and the new National and Regional Partnership Plan is a matter of significant importance to my Department.
Ireland has and will continue to advocate for a well funded CAP that supports farm resilience, environmental ambition, and rural development measures such as LEADER.
Within the draft regulations, the inclusion of the LEADER programme as a CAP intervention is to be welcomed. As part of the on-going negotiation process, my department continues to input into the draft regulations and emphasise the importance of a ringfenced allocation for the LEADER Programme.
I note that detailed discussions in relation to the shape and operation of the new regulations are on-going at both national and EU levels.
To facilitate the current negotiation process for the post 2027 period, the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine has established a CAP Consultative Committee, which includes representation from my department and other rural stakeholders. My department is also inputting into the draft regulations and actively liaising with colleagues in the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine in this regard.
Separately, I have engaged with Irish MEPs to discuss a range of issues including LEADER funding in the context of the next EU budgetary cycle, and I will continue this work with MEPs and my Government colleagues to ensure that the LEADER programme is well funded into the future.
