Boost for rural communities across Sligo and Leitrim with LEADER funding of €13.6 million – McLoughlin

Fine Gael TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Tony Mc Loughlin, has welcomed the announcement of LEADER funding of €13.6 million for rural enterprises and community groups across Sligo and Leitrim.

“As part of the LEADER 2020 programme groups and enterprises in Sligo will get over €7.6 million, while those in Leitrim are to receive over €5.9 million.

“The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys this week issued the first funding agreements for the delivery of the LEADER 2020 programme in 18 counties.

“LEADER 2020 is a very important initiative for the rural Ireland and is a key part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. In total it will provide funding of €250 million to enterprises and community groups throughout rural Ireland. As our economy recovers it is essential that the Government puts in place measures to revitalise rural Ireland, so that the benefits are felt in every community in Sligo and Leitrim, and across the country.

“The LEADER funding will be provided to projects that are selected by local action groups, made up of local representatives from both the public and private sector. The money will fund projects across a range of areas, such as enterprise development, rural tourism, enhancement of rural towns and the provision of basic services for hard to reach communities.

“This funding puts rural development back in the hands of local communities in Sligo and Leitrim and empowers them to address their own development needs.

“Investing in our rural economies and supporting communities across rural Ireland is a top priority for this Government. Fine Gael’s ambition, and my ambition as a Fine Gael TD, is to build a strong economy and deliver a fair society, so that communities across Sligo and Leitrim can thrive.”