The announcement of more than €11 million in Leader funding for Mayo this week was welcomed by Government TDs from the county. An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, said after the announcement: “The €11,121,341 approved by Cabinet for Leader in Mayo is a significant investment in the county. It will allow for the effective and efficient delivery of rural development across the county. It is part of the vision for local government to be the main vehicle of local governance and public service at local level.”
He continued: “The funding announced will allow Leader to continue and strengthen the role it plays in investing in local communities across Mayo. We want local government to lead economic, social and community development. This allows communities deliver efficient and good value services in a manner which represents the views of the people living there. This is vital.”
The Taoiseach concluded: “The funding will be allocated in a two step process. Firstly there will be consultation. The Department of the Environment will hold a number of regional information seminars and will advertise for expressions of interest. They will appear in national and local newspapers. The funding will then be allocated through a selection process. In total €220 million will be spent, of which €162.5 million will be reimbursed from the EU.”
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, said: “The economic recovery is under way, and the Government is determined that the recovery is felt in every corner of Ireland. Investment in the Leader programme is of huge significance to Mayo.” He added: “I know in Mayo there are any number of projects where funding is needed and will be of huge benefit.”
Dep John O’Mahony TD said: “We are committed to empowering rural Ireland, to giving the local people of Mayo the opportunity to identify where the Leader programme funding should go, and in controlling the allocation at a local level.”
