Tipperary LEADER in the Top Ten!

Mr Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, has recently announced the allocation of an additional €500,000 LEADER funding for rural projects in Co Tipperary. This announcement is part of the distribution of €5 million in additional LEADER funding for ten areas nationally that are most advanced in the delivery of the LEADER Programme.

Announcing the allocation of the additional funding, Minister Ring said: “I am delighted to be in a position to provide additional funding to the top 10 areas where there is a strong demand for LEADER funding.” He went on to say, “The ten best performing groups will now be rewarded with €500,000 in extra funding to invest in rural communities in their counties”.

Cllr John Carroll, Chair of the Tipperary Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) welcomed the funding. “This is a great funding boost for Tipperary. There has been great progress made within the Tipperary Local Community Development Committee to deliver on LEADER funding for Tipperary through its implementing partners South Tipperary Development CLG & North Tipperary Development Company since the programme began. This additional funding of €500,000 will make an enormous difference to communities throughout Tipperary.”

Michael Murray, CEO, North Tipperary Development Company said, “This is great news for rural communities across Tipperary and will enable a range of community and private projects to be funded with economic, social and environmental benefits”.

Examples of recent rural funding by LEADER include: Cais Na Tíre Cheese – production of sheep’s cheese at Aglish Borrisokane, Kilbarron Hall Renovations – renovation and retrofit of Community Centre, Carrig & Riverstown GAA Club and Community Centre -  Community Walkway and Community Centre extension. Cross Fabrications Limited – development of facilities for light engineering business in Borrisoleigh,  Pure Oil Ltd – equipment for the processing and packaging of vegetable oil in Roscrea, Borrisoleigh Bottling – water bottling equipment, Ballyhogan County Kitchen  – enhancement of production facilities for bakery at Ballycommon Nenagh, All Security Shredding – Secure Shredding Services Balyartella Nenagh, Gorthahoe/Glengoole, Monegall and Sean Treacy’s  GAA Clubs – Community  Walkways, John Cummins Irish Piemontese Beef – production facilities at Two Mile Boris Thurles.

Isabel Cambie, CEO of South Tipperary Development CLG also stated, “Over €6.5 million in projects have been approved in Tipperary under the current LEADER programme since it opened for applications in late 2016. This amounts to well over 80% of its overall allocation of €7.5million which has already been approved for projects. Of this funding over €2million has been paid out to project promoters. The programme is working really well in the county and there is now a demand for additional funding.”

Pat Slattery, Director of Services, Tipperary County Council also welcomed the announcement saying “This additional funding is really good news for Tipperary communities and enterprises, and is testament to both the co-operation and work of the Tipperary Local Community Development Committee (LCDC ) along with their implementing partners - South Tipperary Development Company and North Tipperary Development Company.” He further added “this extra funding will benefit communities across the county, allowing additional vital social inclusion, economic development and environmental initiatives to advance over the coming years.”

 

Pictured at the signing of the NTDC/RDP Contract at Kilbarron Hall. Back row: Patrick Killeen RDP (LEADER) Project Coordinator, NTDC; Donal Murphy, Tipperary Co Council; Front row: Mikey Dunne, Chairman, Kilbarron Hall; John Carroll, MCC, Chair of Tipperary LCDC