133 Kerry projects pick up €2.35m in LEADER funding

KERRY has received more than €2.35 million in LEADER funding according to the programme’s latest update, making the county one of the top beneficiaries of the scheme.

According to information released last week by the Department of Rural and Community Development, 133 projects in Kerry have been approved for funding by Local Action Groups, by far the highest number, with Donegal second with 76 approved projects.

Kerry received the second highest allocation in terms of funding, behind Donegal, which received almost €2.7 million of the national total of some €29 million.

The largest allocation was to Castlegregory Community Council, totalling more than €146,000. Other significant grants were outlined for Farranfore Development Association (almost €84,000), and Camp Community Council (€62,085).

Administered by Local Action Groups, the programme provides grant aid to rural communities and businesses, with the aim of supporting economic and enterprise development, job creation, social inclusion, and rural environment.

This time last year, less than 50 projects had received approval. This figure has since risen to over 1,000 projects, with Minister Michael Ring recently announcing that Muckross Rowing Club had become the 1,000th project to have its application approved.

The Minister added that some €250 million in grant aid will be provided through the project. Minister Brendan Griffin welcomed news of the funding, saying it supports jobs and investment in the county:

“LEADER funding represents an enormous opportunity for rural businesses and communities that are in need of investment...I want to see the programme continuing to grow and make a difference for rural Ireland over the coming years.”