LEADER funding of €1.8million for community groups

FINE Gael TD Tony McLoughlin TD, has said that the €1.8 Million announced in LEADER funding is supporting jobs and investment in Counties Sligo and Leitrim.

“The announcement by Minister Michael Ring, Minister for Rural and Community Development, that €1.8 Million in LEADER funding has been spent across 61 of projects in Co. Sligo and Leitrim is welcome news. This grant is supporting jobs and investment across the county.

“There has been a significant expansion of activity over the last 12 months since the Minister introduced a range of measures to make the programme work better for both potential applicants and for the

LEADER Local Action Groups which deliver the pro- gramme on the ground.

“The LEADER programme funds projects under a diverse range of themes that include enterprise development, rural tourism, social inclusion and the environment. LEADER is a key component of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.

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

“The whole idea behind LEADER funding is to empower local groups on the ground to prioritise where the money can be best spent. This will ensure that the people who really need it can benefit.”