Minister for the Environment, Community, and Local Government, Phil Hogan, has given sanction for Galway Rural Development Company to approve funding of €156,914 to Leitrim Sports and Recreational Development Group for the development of a community car park and playground in Leitrim, Loughrea, Co Galway.
The funding is being granted under the village renewel and development measure of the Rural Development Programme 2007 to 2013. The LEADER elements of the programme offer many challenges and opportunities in terms of addressing the needs of improving the quality of life in rural areas and providing greater opportunities for farm diversification. It is focused on the development of micro-enterprises, rural services, rural recreation, and rural tourism. It is hoped that, by focusing on these services, the programme will lead to sustainable development, which in turn will ensure prosperity for the rural areas.
Announcing the funding Minister Hogan said: “This project will be of immense benefit to Leitrim, Loughrea, with its total project costs of €209,218. I know it will improve the quality of life and will strengthen the social and economic fabric for all the area’s inhabitants.”
The Minister added: “The project will now go back to the board of Galway Rural Development Company for the final approval on the project. This is in line with the EU’s ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development.”
