Galway set for €18m shortfall in community development funds

Millions of euros will be lost to rural communities as the current LEADER  programme comes to an end this year leaving many projects incomplete with no guarantee of any more funding.

It will now be a race against time for any projects expecting funds to be sanctioned to them through the European-based programme.

This week, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan announced revised allocations to be released under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.

In Galway alone, it means that the three existing LDCs will be losing out on about €18million – and it could be another four years before these projects would be considered for funding under the new LEADER programme.

Yesterday, Deputy Eamon Ó Cuív blamed Minister Hogan for failing to mentor and encourage the companies operating the programme.

“With the end of year deadline looming fast for the sanction of LEADER projects, there is a high likelihood that not all of the European money will be drawn down.

“That date is a European one and cannot be changed. The Minister would need to allow approvals of projects ten per cent greater than the money allocated as at this stage it is inevitable that not all approved projects will be completed by the close out date for payments.

And having worked hard to get this money it will be a terrible injustice to rural communities that all the funding isn’t spent.”

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.