Minister Ó Cuív announces allocations under the largest ever Rural Development Programme
Minister Ó Cuív announces allocations under the largest ever Rural Development Programme
Under the Programme, funding of €425.4 million will be provided, 55% from the European Union and 45% from the Exchequer. This is almost treble the amount available in the last Programme (2000-2006), and the largest ever package for rural development. The funding will be channelled through the new, integrated Local Action Groups to support and facilitate the continued development of rural communities all over Ireland. Projects will commence next month, November 2008.
Each of these Local Action Groups will distribute funding to community groups and individuals in rural areas for the range of activities to be funded under this Programme. These activities are varied and include diversification into non-agricultural activities, support for business creation, encouragement of tourism activities, basic services for the economy and rural population, village renewal and development, conservation and upgrading of rural heritage and training and information.
I am delighted to be announcing the allocations today as I know you are all eager to get your programmes underway as soon as possible. I would like to take the opportunity to wish the staff and new Chairs of the Local Action Groups every success with the work ahead, said Minister Ó Cuív.
"Despite the economic challenges facing the country, I believe that this is a time of great opportunity for rural areas," he continued. "With the increasing urbanisation of society, there is renewed interest in rural recreation, marine-associated activities and indigenous small food production. Under this Rural Development Programme, I am expecting that each Local Action Group will implement a clear plan with particular focus on the above. In the last five years, we have seen the numbers of visitors coming to Ireland for rural recreation more than double. I believe that we can double this again by 2013. With this new Rural Development Programme, in association with other major programmes run by my Department such as the CLÁR Programme and the Rural Social Scheme, I am confident that we will see significant developments and sustainable job creation in rural Ireland between now and 2013."
