Europe to treble rural fund to €60m

THE European Commission will treble the annual Outside the Farm Gate Rural Development budget for Ireland for the years 2007-2013.

Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Éamon Ó Cuív said this means an increase in the annual budget for LEADER type activity from an average of €21 million per year to €60.8m per year.

He said this increased commitment by Europe to general rural development would give a major boost to economic activity in rural areas.