SF say changes to Leader scheme costing rural jobs
THE failure of the government to address glaring deficiencies in the Leader funding programme is costing jobs and having a devastating impact rural communities across the country.
That’s according to Séin Fein Ireland South MEP Liadh Ní Riada, who has called on Rural Affairs Minister Heather Humphreys “get her head out of the sand” and explain why changes were made to the system making it more difficult for people to draw down Leader funding.
“This funding has been a lifeline to rural communities for 25-years. But, recent changes to the way it is delivered are not only causing communities to lose out, they are also making the scheme more expensive to deliver,” said Ms Ní Riada.
“For months now I have been dealing with county councillors and community groups, all of whom are deeply frustrated with the changes that have been made to the scheme.”
Ms Ní Riada said a point in case was the situation highlighted this week in the Irish Examiner, which revealed that an ambitious €500,000 expansion plan by Baile Mhuirne - based De Róiste Foods is being hampered by cuts and changes to the Leader programme.
The company, which supplies black and white puddings to clients including Musgraves and Dunnes Stores, has been granted permission for a 600 sq m factory on 1.9 acre site at Réidh na nDoirí.
It is understood the new facility, which will incorporate a production hall, industrial kitchen and offices, will replaced their existing unit on the Údarás na Gaeltachta Park and allow the business to double its workforce to 18.
However, managing director Jimmy Allen told the Irish Examiner that the plan had been dealt a blow by cuts to Leader funding announced during the planning process.
While he stressed the plan would still proceed, Mr Allen criticised the decision not to allow the West Cork Development Partnership to continue administering Leader rural development funding for the Múscraí Gaeltacht.
He said he had discussed the plan with the partnership and at the time there was 75% funding available under Leader.
However, the funding is now administered by Údarás na Gaeltachta, which recently announced total funding of €60,000 for enterprise, social inclusion & economic and job creation projects.
Mr Allen criticised the governments handing of the Leader scheme and its enterprise development policy.
“They’re talking about developing small businesses, but, in actual fact, they’re working against it. Why break something that was working? They’ve given it to Údarás na Gaeltachta and they’ve given €60,000 for four years,” he told the Irish Examiner.
He said that applying to the fund “would not be worth it” as by the you have gone through the process you might get as little as €1,500.
Ms Ní Riada said she was contacted on weekly basis by different groups facing similar problems.
“They are all adamant that unless something is done soon their areas will lose out on vital facilities and funding this is costing jobs,” she said.
“It is long past time the Minister took her head out of the sand and addressed the concerns of rural Ireland,” she added.