Rural Schemes

9. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the assurances he can give rural communities regarding the future of the LEADER programme, including its funding levels, allocation timelines and long-term security. [72921/26]

This question relates to the assurances that are required regarding the future of the LEADER programme in respect of funding levels, allocation timelines and long-term security, rather than things being announced every single year. It is similar to the SICAP project. I ask for a multi-annual funding approach.

I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh, who is playing a super-sub role today in terms of all the questions. The LEADER programme is funded as an intervention under CAP. Therefore, the development of EU regulations relating to the post-2027 CAP and the new national and regional partnership plan is of significant importance to my Department. To facilitate the ongoing negotiation process for the post-2027 period, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine established a CAP consultative committee, which includes representation from my Department and other rural stakeholders. My Department has provided input into these draft EU regulations to ensure the continued prioritisation of LEADER in Ireland. We have consistently emphasised the importance of a ring-fenced allocation for LEADER to ensure the post-2027 programme can continue its vital role. I acknowledge that the proposed consolidation of the main EU funding programmes within a single national and regional partnership plan for each member state, financed through one overarching fund, is leading to uncertainty. However, it is important to note that the draft regulations include the continuation of the LEADER programme as a mandatory measure. Furthermore, the draft regulations, as currently phrased, propose a 10% rural target in recognition of the valuable support provided to rural communities. I will continue to work to ensure that this provision can serve to provide adequate funding for LEADER in the next programming period. The next EU budgetary cycle is due to commence on 1 January 2028. Many details remain to be finalised as part of the ongoing EU-wide negotiation process. The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Presidency recently published the negotiation box for the multi-annual financial framework from 2028 to 2034. This represents a major milestone for our EU Presidency. Detailed discussions will continue, beginning today at the EU Council, and during our term holding the Presidency. This will include discussions regarding LEADER. I thank the Taoiseach, the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, and the Minister, Deputy Heydon, for their work on this to date. I remain committed to ensuring that LEADER continues to play a central role in the next programming period and into the future.

The EU Council will take its decision and it is to be hoped it is a positive one in respect of the LEADER project. In terms of the funding of such projects into the future, and given that Ireland holds the Presidency, we hope for a more favourable outcome in this area. There is an understanding of how vital rural communities are, as we know from organisations such as Irish Rural Link and the Local Development Companies Network. They need to be certain of where funding is coming from and cannot live precariously year to year, especially if they are planning to roll out other projects. They need to invest and consider future plans, and cannot do that if each year they are not sure whether the funding is coming. How long will the next programme last?

LEADER has been a game-changer for rural communities since it was introduced. I visited a number of LEADER companies this summer who marked 35 years. The approach was championed by former Commissioner Ray MacSharry and has driven a bottom-up and locally led approach. I reiterate what I said to the Deputy. The Government and I, as Minister, along with the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, are very committed to the negotiation process and wider multi-annual financial framework process. We have engaged strongly at EU level. I met Irish MEPs in Strasbourg to brief them and engage with them around LEADER. We have engaged with the CAP negotiators through the EPP and Renew Europe group, which includes former Deputy Barry Cowen. I have engaged with the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Heydon, on LEADER funding going forward. The Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, and I met the local development network in late spring to discuss the importance of the programme. We will host a major Presidency rural development conference in Galway in early November and I will use that to platform and showcase the value of LEADER for EU colleagues. We have certainly made a very strong effort in the context of the negotiating box we tabled last weekend to protect rural areas going forward. We will continue to fight for that position.

It is important the opportunity is availed of, as the Minister said, to showcase LEADER, especially some of the major projects that have played a huge role in helping ensure rural communities are not as isolated. However, there is a need, as I said, to look at the multi-annual funding to ensure it stays in touch with and takes into account inflation and the like. Similar to what we talked about earlier, there is also a requirement to look at reforms to reduce bureaucracy and simplify matters to ensure the communities and projects that are part of this are not tied up in bureaucracy and red tape and can get on with the work they are set up to do.

The Deputy touches on a very important point. The level of paperwork and bureaucracy around LEADER is intimidating for many community organisations. That is something we need to look at in the context of EU regulations and our own regulations. I thank the LEADER companies the length and breadth of the country that do extraordinary work through the programme and in bridging the gap with community groups by bringing them through the LEADER process, which is very intimidating. There are LEADER people who are hugely experienced all over the country who I really thank. In budget 2027, we provided an increase of €11 million in LEADER funding for 2027. That gives a sense that activity is beginning to ramp up again within the current programme and right across the country there will be extra drawdowns of LEADER funding throughout 2027. People on the ground will see the impact of LEADER funding and the difference it is making in their community. There is also the work of our Department. As I said, we will spend over €600 million next year. Our Department was not there in 1991 and now it is and is driving on the work with LEADER. LEADER has to be a very important part of our country, going forward.