270. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the spend incurred under the Leader programme 2007 to 2013; the original allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43356/15]

The original allocation of LEADER funding for the 2007-2013 programming period was just short of €400 million. The allocation was reduced in 2012 when the EU co-financing rate changed due to the financial crisis. To date, €276 million has been spent on projects, €12 million on animation expenses and €71 million on administration giving a total of €359 million.

The final date for expenditure under the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 is 31 December 2015. The final outturn for the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 is expected to be in the order of €370 million.