Funding package of €425m for rural development

THE allocation of €425.4 million in LEADER funding to 36 groups under the largest package for rural development has been announced.

Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Éamon Ó Cuív, speaking at the European Commission offices in Dublin, said 55% of the allocation will be provided by the European Union, with 45% coming from the Irish exchequer.

LEADER is an EU initiative which provides approved “local action groups” with a mixture of EU and state funding in order to implement business plans for the development of their own areas.