Mattie McGrath: Warns of steep cuts to LEADER rural funding
Mattie McGrath criticised proposed cuts to the LEADER programme and highlighted a co-funding shortfall, warning of severe impacts on rural projects. He urged engagement from Minister Maconlough and flagged wider budget figures for rural investment.
Funding cuts and figures
The deputy said the proposed LEADER allocation falls from £425 million in the last programme for the 2017-2013 programme to just £180 million for 2023-27. He described this reduction as astonishing and warned it will have a huge impact on rural projects.
Co-funding shortfall under EU rules
McGrath pointed out that the co-funding element of 56.72% falls well short of the 80% permissible under the EU regulation. He framed the lower co-funding as an additional blow to the scheme's effectiveness.
Local impact and scheme praise
He stressed the effects would be felt across his county, Tipperary, and every other county, affecting tourism and commercial projects. McGrath praised LEADER as a successful bottoms-up programme, noting many volunteers and communities had benefited from supported projects introduced by Deputy O'Quiv, Minister O'Quiv at the time.
Calls for engagement and budget context
McGrath urged that Minister Maconlough engage on the additional LEADER funding secured this year and on the DISCAP strategic framework compared to the previous CAP. He also referenced a broader allocation of £376 million and an increase of £35 million in the Department of Community and Rural Affairs 2021 budget as part of rural investment discussions.
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Michael Good, Taoiseach, there is huge angst over the LEADER programme going forward. Notwithstanding the increased national and executive funding for the overall cap of programme 23-27, there is a significant cut in LEADER funding for rural areas, with the proposed allocation for the programme falling from £425 million in the last programme for the 2017-2013 programme to just £180 million for this programme from 2023-27. This is astonishing, Taoiseach. Furthermore, the co-funding element of the 56.72% falls well short of the 80% permissible under the EU regulation. This reduction in funding will have huge impact on rural projects, tourism projects, commercial projects, right across my county, Tipperary and, indeed, every other county. And Teachta Dala has been bottoms up, one of the best programmes that was ever introduced, I think it was Deputy O'Quiv, Minister O'Quiv at the time introduced at the start. Many, many great projects have been supported. Many volunteers have been on the boards, and many volunteers and communities have got going. And now to give them a shot in the face like this, it's just disastrous. First of all, I think LEADER is a great scheme, and Minister Maconlough was successful in getting additional funding for LEADER this year, you know, and I will ask Deputy, that Minister Maconlough would engage with you in relation to the additional funding on the DISCAP strategic framework that they achieved for LEADER, as compared to the previous CAP. So there's increased funding for it, and also the investment in rural Ireland more generally. I mean, this budget, there's an allocation of £376 million. That's an increase of £35 million in the DRCD's 2021 budget, that's the Department of Community and Rural Affairs. I know, but it's doing an awful lot of work for rural towns that you were talking about earlier in your contribution. But, but, sorry? Let's the T-shirt. Through the chair, T-shirt. Thank you. The time is running. Yeah, but, anyway. Thank you, Mr. Thank you.
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