DLDC Launches Rural Development Programme 2007-2013
(LEADER Element)
Donegal Local Development Company has confirmed that it has been awarded an allocation of in excess of €12.8M under the new Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2015. The allocation constitutes one of the highest allocations for a rural development company in the country and it follows on from their tremendous successes in both the Leader 11 and Leader+ Programmes administered by DLDC.
At the European Commission Offices in Dublin, on Tuesday November 4th, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív TD announced the LEADER funding allocations from the new Rural Development Programme 2007-2015. Under the Programme, funding of €425.4 million will be provided. This global budget is almost treble the amount available in the last Programme (2000-2006), and the largest ever package for rural development. This new Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2015, is jointly funded by the Irish Exchequer (45%) and the European Union (55%). The overall allocation to LEADER in Donegal for the new programme is in excess of €25M and will be delivered by the existing three companies, Donegal Local Development Company, Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teo and the Inishowen Development Partnership.
In reaction to the award, the Chairman of DLDC, Mr. Jim Slevin, who also serves as the National Vice Chairman of CLE the national network of rural development companies, stated that this was a significant day for the company, but most importantly for rural entrepreneurs in both the private and community sectors in Donegal. He noted the funds were coming on stream when we need to increasingly look at our own wealth creating opportunities and confirmed that these funds provided a tremendous opportunity for Donegal people to develop local enterprises and social infrastructure. Mr. John Starrett, the Chairman of the company’s rural development working group paid tribute to the company’s staff stating that the quality of the DLDC Business Plan submission for the funds was recognised by the department’s consulting assessors as being of an excellent standard.
Another one of the key factors in securing such a generous allocation was the fact that Donegal Local Development Company has a proven track record in the delivery of the Leader II and LEADER+ Programmes 1995-2007 in addition to other key social and economic funding programmes including the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme, PEACE and FAS Initiatives. The delivery of recent Leader+ Programme by the company was one of the most successful LEADER Programmes delivered in Ireland, with close to €5.5M administered through three programmes, namely the Leader+, National Rural Development Programme and the CLAR Programme. The company was also particularly delighted that 100% spend was achieved in all three programmes, constituting the highest investment in rural development projects in the country.
The allocation of €12.8M to Donegal Local Development Company Ltd comes only a week after the very successful launch by the company of another rural development programme, the “Walks Scheme”, which was also officially launched by Minister Ó Cuív in Donegal Town. The selection of the Blue Stack Way as one of four national trails to be included in the Walks Scheme, will ensure that local farmers located along the trail could share in up to a quarter of a million euro over a five year period. This represents a very successful week indeed for the company.
Under previous Leader Programmes delivered by the company, several notable projects received funding including the Water Bus in Donegal Town, the new Heritage Centre in Killybegs and the Tirhugh Centre in Ballyshannon. Others to receive notable funding included the GAP project in Glenties, the Doneyloop Youth project outside Castlefin, which received total funding of €200K, the Ramelton Town Hall, IRD Milford, The Ozanam Centre in Dunfanaghy as well as the Resource Centre and Sightseeing Boat in Rathmullen. Several youth projects also received funding, most notably “Trisurf” with several other youth projects including the Donegal Youth Council.
As part of the promotion of the new Programme, Donegal Local development Company will now organise a series of public information evenings in the coming weeks. The aim of the information evenings is to outline the objectives of the programme to potential project promoters and stimulate ideas which may be fundable under this very important rural development programme. DLDC’s staff are committed to helping promoters explore project proposals with a view to submitting a full application under the new Programme.
Over the period 2007-2015, the company will now administer €12.8 million of funds within its Co. Donegal catchment. The main theme of the programme is “to improve the quality of life in rural areas and encourage diversification of the rural economy.” The programme will be open to private and community applicants with funding available at a rate of 50% for private project promoters and up to 75% available to community organisations. Funding of up to €200K could be made available to potential projects.
The programme will be open for funding to assist projects under the following measures:
- Diversification into non-agricultural activities
- Support for business creation and development
- Encouragement of tourism activities
- Basic services for the economy and rural population
- Village renewal and development
- Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage
- Training
- Skills acquisition and animation for the preparation and implementation of a local development strategy
For further information is available from Donegal Local Development Company at 1 Millennium Court, Pearse Road, Letterkenny, Tel. 074-912-7056 or the Public Services Centre, Drumlonagher, Donegal Town, 074-972-3368.
