Statement by Minister Éamon Ó Cuív TD regarding LEADER programme expenditure
Written by Eamon Ó Cuív Tuesday, 01 December 2009
In a statement issued by Éamon Ó Cuív T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, he said that it is vital now that Comhar na nOileán Teo. and Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta sanction projects as quickly as possible under the LEADER programme.
Minister Ó Cuív said that €2,690,000 has been provided to Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta for projects but that only €544,000 worth of projects has been sanctioned to date. “That means that Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta can sanction projects to the value of €2m immediately or 80% of the funding for projects provided to Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta to date,” he said. “Indeed, since the LEADER programme began, €392,000 has been provided for LEADER programme administration matters, even though only €544,000 worth of projects has been approved.
“As for Comhar na nOileán, €640,000 has been provided for projects but only €88,000 has been sanctioned to date. This means that €551,000 is available for projects. €162,000 has been provided for administration to date.
“I hope now that the public will begin to submit applications to the LEADER companies for various private and community projects and that the funding available will be availed of. There is a need for rural development now, more than ever, and there is a great opportunity to progress rural development under the LEADER programme. When the funding provided to the LEADER companies has been sanctioned and spent, extra funding will be provided to the companies.”
