Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC) CEO Padraic Fingleton appeared this week before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development to discuss rural development and, critically, the future of the LEADER Programme.
His message was clear – LEADER works.
Mr Fingleton highlighted that LEADER is far more than a funding stream. It animates, energises, and empowers rural communities, helping build the capacity for local action and leadership. He emphasised that a reduction in LEADER funding would affect not only the communities Local Development Companies (LDCs) serve but also the organisations themselves.
Adequate funding, he told the Committee, ensures LDCs can retain and value their staff, staff who work at the heart of community development and must be supported on par with other agencies.
Following the meeting, Mr Fingleton said: “I was really encouraged by how engaged and supportive elected members were, and their clear commitment to finding solutions to protect and sustain LEADER into the future”.
He appeared alongside colleagues from Inishowen Development Partnership, Offlay LDC and IRD Duhallow.
You can watch the full meeting here – https://www.oireachtas.ie/…/joint-committee…/2026-03-25/