Munster best at winning RDP funding

PARTNERSHIPS in Munster have been the most successful overall in drawing down national Rural Development Programme (RDP) funding of more than €9 million paid out so far this year.

More than €1bn for creation of sustainable employment projects in rural Ireland is expected up to 2013 from the programme, including the additional private investment it will trigger.

The funding is delivered through 36 Integrated Development Partnerships (IDPs).

Wexford Local Development is the top performing IDP so far, attracting €524,125.68 in 2010.

Funding of €517,730.31 has gone to Ballyhoura Development Limited, covering South and East Limerick and North East Cork.

Funding of €504,258.19 has gone to West Cork Development Partnership Limited. Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teoranta, which operates in three Munster Gaeltacht areas, has received €404,975.11.

South Tipperary Local Development Company Limited has received €359,883.66. The Waterford LEADER Partnership Limited has received €356,156.62, and the Clare Local Development Company Limited has received €389,155.64.

Eight other IDPs operating Munster have received funding. They are North Tipperary LEADER Partnership Company (€326,061.78); IRD Duhallow (€ 252,735.05); Avondhu/Blackwater Partnership Limited (€226,223.46); North & East Kerry LEADER Partnership Teoranta (€140,012.20); South & East Cork Area Development Limited (€213,014.94); South Kerry Development Partnership Limited (€202,737.30); West Limerick Resources Limited (€222,991.09); and Comhar na nOileán Teoranta, which covers 31 islands, including seven in Co Cork (€122,535.65).

Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Pat Carey said a further €40m is committed to ongoing projects, a significant number of which will be completed and funding draw down during 2010.

He has also announced an initial RDP funding allocation for 2011 of €40m.

“The availability of this initial €40m allocation for 2011 will allow local action groups to commit to a range of new projects that will further develop and enhance the social and economic opportunities of rural areas,” he said. He will meet representatives of local action groups shortly to discuss progress of the €425m LEADER element of the rural development programme, best practice and emerging opportunities and any difficulties with implementation of the programme.

He said he was confident that groups will serve their local communities by ensuring that all available funding is spent.