Allow River plan granted funding

A NORTH Cork based group is among nine Irish bodies set to share in a €10 million funding windfall under a European Union funded environmental protection initiative.

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed this week announced that the Allow River Catchment Management Group is among the latest batch of projects selected for funding under the European Innovation Partnerships (EIP) programme.

A joint venture partnership between the IRD Duhallow ‘LIFE+’ project and the South Western Regional Authority’s ‘ Territories of Rivers Actions Plans’ (TRAP), the Allow group was set up in 2014.

It’s purpose is to provide a collaborative and coordinated approach towards providing practical improvements in the River Allow catchment area.

Comprised of stakeholders from the public, private and voluntary sectors, landowners and technical specialists from in and around the catchment area, it is responsible for coordinating planning, funding and the delivering ecological health schemes and projects for the Allow River and its surrounds.

Minister Creed said the latest tranche of funding under the EIP will bring to 23 the total number of projects across the country to receive the funding needed to bring them to the implementation stage.

Theses include a range sustainable farming, biodiversity, pollination and bio-energy schemes as well as the Hen Harrier and Freshwater Pearl Mussel programmes.

“All of the projects will address specific challenges, demonstrating the creativity and resourcefulness that is abundant across Ireland’s rural sector. I wish them all well in the design and roll-out of these schemes over the coming years,” said Minister Creed.

He said the latest round of funding brings the total amount allocated to Irish l projects under the EIP programme to more than €57 million.

“These locally led schemes promote local solutions to specific issues and involve the establishment of operational groups to develop ideas, or take existing ideas/research, and put them into practice by working towards resolutions of practical problems,” said Minister Creed.

“They offer an exciting opportunity to build on the success of the agri-food sector and address some of the remaining challenges with fresh approaches.”