Decision expected shortly on co-financing rural programme

Farmers in poorer regions hope their wait will be over soon for a Government decision on national co-financing for the seven-year Rural Development Programme.

IFA rural development chairman Flor McCarthy is optimistic the Government will announce 50:50 co-funding to match the EU’s €313m annual commitment, giving a total budget of €2.2bn over the next seven years.

It is expected that an annual fund of about €590m — with the State putting up €277m and the EU €313m — could be unveiled shortly. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will also be part of that announcement.