The recent announcement of over €12 million in funding under the Leader programme for the South West Development Company in Mayo was welcomed by members of the Westport Electoral Area Committe last Monday. However, committee members were informed that applications for future Leader programmes would be considered under a change in headings and that islands can’t apply any more—instead they will receive funding under a national islands programme.
Councillor John O’Malley commented that the implementation of the future Leader programme will be “awkward” as an EU directive which prohibits public co-funding has been introduced, which he described as “a drawback” as the majority of community programmes are co-funded.
Fianna Fáil councillor Margaret Adams was, however, confident that communities will take up this funding and added that there will be ways to get over the shortfalls which they may face.
Mr Peter Hynes reiterated that the co-funding only applies to public sources, such as contributions from local authorities, however, local/community funding can be used.
