LEADER FUNDING GETS ROLLING AGAIN
BY stepping in to augment the latest round of funding under the LEADER programme, Cork County Council has ensured that vital community projects in rural area across the county can be given the green light.
That’s according to council chief executive Tim Lucey, who said the authority was one of the few around the country to have backed up LEADER with a pledge of additional cash.
“Our elected members listened to the communities of Cork County who were concerned about shortfalls in funding to the LEADER programme and responded by making an additional €3.5 million in council funding available across the county,” Tim Lucey.
Controversy has surrounded the funding for the LEADER initiative up to 2020, with sweeping cuts seeing its budget slashed when compared to previous allocations.
This time around Cork County has been allocated just over €13.9 million, out of a total national allocation of €250 million.
Mr Lucey confirmed that the council will provide an additional €3.5 million to that from its supplemental Community Development Initiative Fund, bringing the total funding available to communities in Cork to €17.4 million.
The roll-out of the programme will be overseen by three Local Community Development Committees (LCDC), with the North, South and West Cork committees having been confirmed as the new Local Action Groups (LAG) for their respective regions.
‘LEADER North Cork’, will be rolled out by a consortium of its LAG and the three local development companies operating in the County Council’s North Cork division: The Avondhu Blackwater Partnership , Ballyhoura Development and IRD Duhallow.
With an initial allocation of €5.1 million augmented by a €1.28 million top-up from Cork County Council, LEADER North Cork will have a total budget of €6.4 million to spend on projects over the next fours years.
While its chairman, Cllr Gerard Murphy, conceded the total funding was “greatly reduced” from previous programmes, he commended the LAG, its three implementing partners and Cork County Council for what he described as the “fresh and innovative” approach developed for the roll-out of LEADER in the region.
“There is a real sense of urgency in rolling out the new programme as communities have been cut off from LEADER funding over recent years and there is a pipeline of projects ready to be assessed,” said Cllr Murphy.
“These communities can be assured of the determination of Cork County Council to issue contracts for available as speedily as possible,” he promised.
Cllr Murphy said LEADER provided a “real opportunity” to invest in local communities across the North Cork region.
“I am looking forward to seeing a continuation of the great work that has been carried out under previous LEADER programmes by the local development companies, albeit this time around with an overall significantly reduced budget,” he said.
“Now that the programme has been officially launched North Cork LEADER welcome expressions of interest from suitable project.”
For more information North Cork LEADER, application forms and latest developments visit www.leadernorthcork.ie.
‘LEADER West Cork’, will be rolled out by a consortium of its LAG and the three local development companies operating in the County Council’s West Cork division: The Avondhu Blackwater Partnership, South and East Cork Area Development (SECAD) and Comhar nan Óileán.
Its allocation of €5 million has been topped up by €1.25 million to €6.25 million.
See www.leaderwestcork.ie.
‘LEADER South Cork’, will be rolled out by a consortium of its LAG and the four local development companies operating in the County Council’s South Cork division: South and East Cork Area Development (SECAD), The Avondhu Blackwater Partnership, Údarás na Gaeltachta and IRD Duhallow.
Its allocation of €3.8 million has been topped up by €1million to €4.8 million.
See www.leadersouthcork.ie.