Posted online: Nov 12th, 2008

A whopping €10.88 million has been allocated to Sligo for rural development programmes.

Sligo County Councillor Jerry Lundy (FF) was director of Sligo Leader Partnership Co. Ltd, representing south Sligo.

Speaking about the funding he said he as delighted with the news. “The figure is a huge increase on the previous programme. Nationally €425 million is being provided – 55 per cent by the European Union and 45 per cent by the exchequer.

“This is almost treble the figure from the last programme, which ran from 2000-2006,” said Mr Lundy.

He continued: “In a time of major cutbacks, it is encouraging to see this increase, and it is badly needed in a time of constraint.

“I would encourage community groups to get their applications and expressions of interest submitted as soon as possible, so hopefully they can avail of funding.

“The previous funding created a number of jobs in rural projects, helped with village enhancements and the creation of community halls, helped start-up rural enterprises and promoted tourism projects, etc.”

The funding was also welcomed by TD Eamon Scanlon (FF), who said: “This considerable increase in funding for the Rural Development Programme is further proof of the Government’s commitment to the development of rural Ireland.

“Teamed with the CLAR Programme and the Rural Social Scheme, there are significant developments being made in sustainable job creation in rural counties such as Sligo.”.