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The Government has had to introduce performance-related incentives to encourage idle community groups who \u201cneed to perform better\u201d to spend \u20ac220 million in rural grants.<\/p>\nThe Government has had to introduce performance-related incentives to encourage idle community groups who \u201cneed to perform better\u201d to spend \u20ac220 million in rural grants.<\/p>\n
The 10 best performing local action groups across the country, which are responsible for allocating funds for community projects such as playgrounds, childcare and elderly support services, will receive an additional \u20ac500,000 each after \u201cinitial teething problems\u201d saw poor take-up of the Leader scheme.<\/p>\n
Rural and Community Development Minister Michael Ring said an additional \u20ac5 million was being made available to encourage groups to spend the \u20ac220 million in Leader funds already available.<\/p>\n
The Mayo TD said he was delighted to be able to provide extra money to areas where there was a growing demand for Leader funding.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome Leader companies have been performing very well and others need to perform better,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am keen to reward the best performers and I know that this extra funding will greatly benefit communities in those areas.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is clear that the program is now working very well – so much so that there is a demand for additional funding in some areas<\/p>\n
The Leader program is a key component of Ireland\u2019s Rural Development Program 2014-2020.<\/p>\n
The grants are designed to support rural community groups in delivering projects that will encourage economic activity and improve the quality of life in rural areas.<\/p>\n
Some 29 local action groups across the country are responsible for selecting and funding projects in their respective areas, but take-up has been slow.<\/p>\n
Last year it emerged that less than 1% of Leader funds had been spent since the start of the program.<\/p>\n
Mr Ring confirmed in a parliamentary question in February 2018 that only \u20ac661,844 of the fund had been paid out.<\/p>\n
Since then, however, allocation of the funds has increased.<\/p>\n
According to the Department of Rural and Community Development more than \u20ac78 million has been allocated to more than 2,200 projects to date.<\/p>\n
Mr Ring said: \u201cThis year alone we have already approved almost 600 projects. After some initial teething problems, it is clear that the program is now working very well \u2013 so much so that there is a demand for additional funding in some areas\u201d.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI had previously indicated that additional funding would be provided to well performing Local Action Groups and I am pleased that we are now able to deliver on this commitment. Furthermore, I will continue to monitor the performance of the groups before deciding if a reallocation of funding between LAGs is necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the last few weeks alone Mr Ring said funding had been approved for projects such as Obair, a community group in Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare which operates a community creche, afterschool program, meals-on-wheels and community cafe. It has also funded a community playground in Rockchapel village in Co Cork.<\/p>\n
The funding helps groups with a range of costs such as construction and fit-out; machinery and equipment; marketing and promotion; training; as well as analysis and development.<\/p>\n
Local action groups have until September 20 to try to qualify for the additional funding.<\/p>\n