‘Frighteningly low’ Leader spending as just 0.06% awarded to rural projects

The Government has been accused of neglecting rural Ireland after it was revealed that just 0.06% of grant funding available has been awarded to help communities.

A scheme to support rural Ireland through funding everything from community centres to tourism businesses and start-up companies has only allocated €118,000, despite having a budget of €200m.

Fianna Fáil’s Éamon Ó Cuív accused Rural Affairs Minister Michael Ring of being “all PR and no substance” in relation to supporting and promoting the development of the regions.