Butler welcomes funding for Meath Partnership under LEADER programme

Fine Gael Meath West TD, Ray Butler, has welcomed the announcement that funding is being allocated to Meath Partnership. The Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD, has released a total of €90 million of funding under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.

“I am delighted that Meath Partnership is set to benefit as a result of this funding under the LEADER programme. Due to changes at European level, the approval of projects under this programme was stalled. But Minister Hogan is now authorising the issuing of contracts for projects which have the necessary approvals in place.  

“The LEADER programme aims to facilitate access to sustainable employment opportunities in rural areas and helps to support sustainable communities and enhance rural economies for business creation and development. In Meath, a huge amount of projects have benefitted under the programme over the last decade or so.

“Meath Partnership has used funding to support business creation and development, as well as diversification into non-agricultural activities and encouraging tourism activities. Conservation, providing basic services for the rural population and the renewal and development of local villages was also supported under the LEADER programme.  

“Many local businesses and events have benefitted from funding under the LEADER programme in the past, including the Kells Heritage Festival, the Moynalty Stream Threshing Museum, Lisadell Equine Hospital and JM Food Service, among many others.

“Meath Partnership must now let the Department of Environment know what projects it has that are ready to proceed. They will then be notified of the funding they are to be allocated. I would also encourage Meath Partnership to closely consider all of the project applications it has received to ensure the best projects get funded and we all get value for money.”

ENDS