Funding for the largest ever rural development programme was announced today in Dublin.
Under the scheme, funding of €425.4 million will be provided, almost treble the amount under the last programme (2000-2006).
Of the €425.4 million, €234 million will come from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and €191 million from the national exchequer.
The scheme will be delivered through local groups via the Leader approach, which is described as a “bottom up” strategy that encourages rural areas to explore ways to become or remain competitive.
Advertisements will appear in all the national newspapers as well as the Irish Farmers' Journal, and Foinseover the coming days, calling for proposals from local action groups to secure funding. These groups would then distribute funding to community groups and individuals.
Areas in which funding would be used include diversification into non-agricultural activities, support for business creation, encouragement of tourism, services for the economy and rural population, village renewal and development, and conservation and upgrading of rural heritage.
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív, who announced the programme at European Union House this afternoon, said: “The level of funding available has increased significantly . . . for example, in some cases, the rate of aid for capital projects has increased from 50 per cent in the last Programme to 75 per cent under this new Programme.
“This will give community groups and individuals in rural areas more flexibility in making their valuable contributions to the continuing development of rural Ireland.”
The programme is co-managed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht.
