Hogan Provides €500,000 funding under the RDP to facilitate the development of a multi-purpose leisure and recreational complex in Barraduff, Killarney, Co Kerry.

  • Mary Elizabeth Bruton
  • July 23rd, 2012

Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government announced today (23rd July, 2012) that he has given sanction to South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd to approve funding of up to €500,000 to Barraduff Community Field Organisation towards the development of a multi purpose leisure and recreational complex in Barraduff, Killarney, Co Kerry. 

This funding is provided under the Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population measure of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 and will provide the necessary financial support to develop this substantial leisure facility in Barraduff. The development is comprised of an all-weather floodlit training pitch, leisure amenities including a walking/jogging track and exercise facilities and a facilities building incorporating changing rooms, multi-purpose meeting room, grounds persons room and services space.

Announcing the funding Minister Hogan said: “This funding will assist Barraduff Community Field Organisation to provide a state of the art facility, available to all members of the community young and old. The facility will support a range of recreational activities including athletics, hockey and volleyball as well as providing special facilities for the older community members and those with reduced mobility. Centres such as these are at the heart of a sustainable rural community and make a significant contribution to one of the main aims of the RDP, to improve the quality of life in rural areas. I wish Barraduff Community Field Organisation the very best of luck with their initiative and hope that members of their community and indeed the surrounding communities enjoy the facilities for many years to come.” 

The LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme currently offer and will continue to offer significant financial resources to communities all over Ireland going forward. With a budget of €96 million for 2012 communities communities such as Barraduff lead by example and show how the resources available can be used to support the development of their own communities now and into the future.   

The Minister added, “This project will now go back to the Board of South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd for their final approval. This is in line with the EU’s “bottom-up” approach to rural development”.