Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Andrew Doyle, has said that €313,274, in LEADER funding is supporting jobs and investment in Wicklow.
“The announcement by Minister Michael Ring, Minister for Rural and Community Development, that
€313,274 in LEADER funding has been spent across 17 of projects in Wicklow is welcome news. This grant is supporting jobs and investment across the county.
“There has been a significant expansion of activity over the last 12 months since the Minister introduced a range of measures to make the programme work better for both potential applicants and for the LEADER Local Action Groups which deliver the programme on the ground.
“The following community groups and organisations across Wicklow have now received funding for their local projects. Go Wild Ltd, Biking.ie, Fastbike Adventures Funbox Ltd, Muinin Teoranta, Lacken Community Development Association, Rathdrum International Cartoon Festival, Wicklow Sailing Club, St. Brigids Hall Carnew, Centre for Climate Change, Wicklow Uplands Council, Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese Ltd, County Wicklow Partnership
“The LEADER programme funds projects under a diverse range of themes that include enterprise development, rural tourism, social inclusion and the environment. LEADER is a key component of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.
“LEADER funding represents an enormous opportunity for rural businesses and communities that are in need of investment and I want to see the programme continuing to grow and make a difference for rural Ireland over the coming years.
“Fine Gael is working hard to ensure the fruits of our recovering economy are used to support local communities in Wicklow. The whole idea behind LEADER funding is to empower local groups on the ground to prioritise where the money can be best spent. This will ensure that the people who really need it can benefit.”
Minister Michael Ring said: “There has been a remarkable increase in LEADER funding allocations in the last twelve months thanks to all of the stakeholders involved. This time last year we had less than 50 projects approved. Now we have over 1,000 approved. I want to see this momentum continue over the coming months and the funding for the approved projects drawn down as quickly as possible.
“In addition to the €29 million committed to these 1,000 projects, there are a further 300 project applications going through the approval process for funding of about €20 million.
“LEADER funding represents an enormous opportunity for rural businesses and communities that are in need of investment and I want to see the programme continuing to grow and make a difference for rural Ireland over the coming years,” the Fine Gael Minister said.
