Today it was revealed that 0.3% of the LEADER programme 2014 has been spent since the commencement of the programme, by Minister for Rural Development Michael Ring.

Speaking in the Dáil under priority questions on rural and community affairs, Sinn Féin TD spokesperson on agriculture Martin Kenny presented a question submitted by deputy Carol Nolan spokesperson on rural development.

Minister Ring was asked for an update on the status of the current LEADER programme funding and to indicate how the programme was performing in comparison to the previous programme.

Ring confirmed that the programme has only paid out €661,844 or 0.3% of the €250m European fund, as compared with 4.4% of a €400m fund paid during the same 18-month period of the previous programme.

Nolan also said she would be seeking “an outline of the Department’s strategy to ensure that every cent of the €200m project fund is paid out to rural communities” and would “be asking what measures the Department is putting in place to ensure that none of this fund is de-committed and makes its way back to Europe”.

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