Companies await LEADER funding

FUNDING for the LEADER programme has still not been delivered to the integrated local development companies, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association said yesterday.

Describing the delay as alarming, ICMSA rural development committee chairman John O’Donnell said it was almost a year since the rural development programme was agreed in Brussels.

He called on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Éamon Ó Cuiv to step up efforts to allocate the funding to the companies ready to deliver the programme.

“The launch of the LEADER funding has been held up by a number of issues that have come up in the cohesion process.

“Some of these issues are genuine concerns and I would be reasonably confident that they will be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.

“But I also believe firmly that the companies that are ready to go should be provided with funding immediately,” he said.

Mr O’Donnell said the largest increase in the live register since 1983 was recorded in March. The economy is slowing down rapidly, with the construction industry leading the way.

“Rural Ireland will be particularly hit by this slowdown as the dependence on the construction industry is particularly pronounced in rural areas.

“It is therefore crucial that economic development is supported immediately in these rural areas to help create alternative employment,” he said.