€15m in grants for recession-hit towns and villages

Recession-hit towns and villages will get access to millions of euro in grants to help support local projects such as hubs, employment initiatives and rural growth schemes.

Rural Affairs Minister Michael Ring will today announce the release of €15m in grants and funds, with proposed projects able to draw down the funds later this year.

The move comes amid claims that rural Ireland has been left behind in the recovery, with urban centres such as Dublin and Cork benefiting more than other parts of the country.