10 March 2015
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Rural Ireland needs more investment
Minister for European Affairs, Cork’s Dara Murphy TD, has welcomed today’s government announcement in relation to County Cork’s allocation of the overall €220 million LEADER portion of funding, under the Rural Development Programme (RDP).
“I have been working in unison with Rural Action Groups on Leader funding for County Cork for many years, including; the Avondhu Blackwater Partnership and also – The South and East Cork Area Development Partnership. I am keenly aware of the positive difference this funding will make to supporting rural Community Services and re-vitalising economic activity throughout rural areas of north Cork.
“The Avondhu Blackwater Partnership, which is the integrated LEADER Partnership Company for North County Cork, in particular, has achieved great success to date in administrating various Rural Development Schemes directed towards Sustainable Community Development, including: LEADER+, TUS, Rural Social Scheme, Rural Transport Programme, NRDP, EQUAL Community Initiative and the Community Services Programme (Community Connect).
“Today’s funding for the LEADER programme (under the RDP) represents a major public investment in the sustainable economic development of North Cork, which will generate a positive dynamo effect in boosting local businesses and supporting Community led social projects, as well as attracting young people back to the rural areas of North Cork.”