Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2019
283. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding sources available for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11190/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding may be available through my Department’s Town & Village Renewal Scheme or the LEADER Programme for the type of project referred to by the Deputy.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in the second half of 2016 and, to date, almost €53 million has been approved under the scheme for more than 670 projects across the country. These projects cover a range of activities, from improving the public realm to make towns and villages more attractive for locals and visitors alike, to job-creation initiatives such as the development of enterprise hubs and digital hubs. Applications for renovations to community facilities such as a community hall could be considered under this scheme.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities. Selection of projects under the scheme is by means of a competitive process. Details of the 2019 Town and Village Renewal Scheme are currently being finalised by my officials and I anticipate that the scheme will be announced shortly.
LEADER is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2020 which is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country. To date, over 1,700 projects have been approved under the current LEADER programme for funding of almost €59 million.
Funding can be provided under a broad range of themes, including enterprise development and social inclusion. The Social Inclusion theme of the LEADER programme focuses on the provision of services for people living in rural and remote areas and, in that context, support for the works outlined by the Deputy could potentially be considered eligible for LEADER funding.
In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the Local Action Group (LAG) which administers the programme in each LEADER area. Interested applicants should, in the first instance, contact the relevant LAG through its Implementing Partners to discuss the funding that may be available.
The Implementing Partner for the area of Donegal referred to by the Deputy is Inishowen Development Partnership, Pound Street Business Park, Pound Street, Carndonagh, Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Contact details for Inishowen Development Partnership are as follows:
- Telephone: 074 9373083
- Email: info@inishowen.ie.
