Leader companies and IFA must work together for rural development
“The current Rural Development Programme comes to an end this year and we have called on both Minister Hogan and Minister Coveney to secure 10% of the Rural Development Programme funding for Leader,” said John Walsh, chair of the network, the representative body for local development companies.
“Local development companies are fully aware that the next round of funding will be less than the current round, however, it is important a reasonable level of funding is ring-fenced for rural communities to deliver social and economic projects in their areas, many of which will be linked to the farming community.”
The Irish Local Development Network chairman said that local development companies and the IFA have a long-standing relationship at local level and on many projects that benefit their rural communities.
“Many IFA members also voluntarily sit on the boards of local development companies, and participate in the decisions being made locally. Their contribution is invaluable, and we would like to see this relationship further enhanced as we reach a very critical time in rural Ireland’s development.”
