Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan, has welcomed a funding package of €220million for the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme announced by the Government today, under the Programme €9,276,593.96 has been allocated to County Limerick.
“The economic recovery is underway and this Government is determined that the recovery is felt in every corner of Ireland. Investment in the LEADER Programme is of huge significance to County Limerick.”
“The LEADER programme is all about community led projects; it is focused on making the recovery local. I know in Limerick there are a number of projects where funding is needed and this will be of huge benefit. Fine Gael is committed to empowering rural Ireland. During his speech at the recent Fine Gael National Conference the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny emphasised the need to build strong rural communities.”
“This LEADER Funding allocation comes after the recently announced Rural Development Programme which will see €4billion being pumped into rural communities. The announcement comes shortly after the news that the United States of America and China have opened their markets to Irish Beef. These are major boosts for the rural economy, providing real jobs for families in counties like Limerick.”
Speaking recently in the Dáil the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney TD said that the abolition of milk quotas are expected to deliver over 10,000 jobs in the Diary sector over the next five years.
“This announcement today together with the other recently announced initiatives for rural areas will make a massive difference to rural communities across Ireland.”