Ó Cuív overhauls services

THE LEADER rural development programme, the Rural Social Scheme, and Partnership services (known as the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme), will all be delivered by one company in each area from 2007, in a shake-up of community services announced by Éamon Ó Cuív, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

LEADER is the EU Community Initiative for Rural Development that provides approved Local Action Groups with public funding (EU and National) to implement multi-sectoral business plans for the development of their own areas.

The Rural Social Scheme allows low-income earners unable to make an adequate living from farming or fishing to earn supplementary income.