Dillon welcomes over €1 million LEADER funding for Mayo

FINE Gael TD Alan Dillon has welcomed confirmation from the Rural and Community Development Minister, Heather Humphreys, of the final allocation of €20 million in funding through the LEADER Programme for the period 2021-2022.

An additional €1,011,039 in funding has been allocated to the local action groups in Mayo.

The allocation is part of the €70 million in funding announced in April as part of Our Rural Future – the government’s five-year strategy designed support rural communities in their recovering from the impact of Covid-19.

Said Deputy Dillon: “The funding announced for Mayo in excess of €1 million will see the development and enhancement of locally and rurally-led projects in areas such as enterprise development, climate change and the green, bio and circular economy. It will also fund projects that maximise the potential of broadband and the digital economy in communities, with a particular focus on skills development and remote working.”

He added: “It is tremendous to see significant funding being made available to the local action groups in Mayo. This will benefit the five groups eligible to distribute LEADER funding - South West Mayo Development Company, Mayo North East Leader Partnership, Comhar na nOileán Teoranta, Moy Valley Resources Ltd and IRD Kiltimagh Ltd.

“I urge all communities and local enterprises who wish to avail of this funding to make contact with their local action group or its implementing partner to discuss how the LEADER Programme can assist their plans.”