Cope welcomes the approval of LEADER grant aid to Gaeltacht areas worth in excess of EUR 130,000
Published on: 30 August 2013
Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP has today welcomed the decision by the Donegal Local Development Company Ltd (DLDC) to approve grants to Gleann Fhinne Teo worth EUR 88,596 and to Teach Mhici Mac Gabhann worth EUR 42,897.
Pat the Cope can confirm that the DLDC approved a grant of EUR 88,596 to Gleann Fhinne Teo for a project costing in the region of EUR 118,000. The project will consist of a playground for children and an exercise area for the elderly. It will be located adjacent to the primary care / day centre and the new primary school.
The DLDC also awarded a grant of EUR 42,897 to Teach Mhici Mac Gabhann. The total cost of the project is approximately EUR 56,000. The grant will go towards the renovation and reconstruction of the birthplace of Mickey McGowan, the author of Rotha Mor an tSaoil. The house will be used as a tourism project for visitors and cultural / tourism events.
Pat the Cope thanked all involved in the decision to award the grants, in particular the DLDC which implements the EU funded LEADER programme. LEADER is an extremely important EU fund as it supports local people and community groups through a bottom up approach.
Pat the Cope also praised the two committees, who must now also raise a local contribution.
Pat the Cope has confirmed that at an EU level there is an agreement in place to extend the LEADER programme post 2014. However, it is essential for the Government to confirm it will continue to co-finance the LEADER programme due to its importance to rural Ireland.