Leader grant-aid released for local projects

There was huge relief for a number of local projects that had been awaiting contracts from Clare Local Development Company since January, with the announcement by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government that Leader grant-aid of €42m nationally had been released for payment.

The delay resulted in a decision by the department to undertake a review of Leader funding, to establish the current level of commitments and to agree a final distribution of remaining funds among the 38 local action groups (LAGs).

Some projects to have received the green light are the redevelopment of the old station house at Sixmilebridge as a Scout base (€135,000); Doonbeg Fisheries Ltd for tourism infrastructure at Doonbeg Lake and Riverside Walk (€110,000); a new AstroTurf facility in Miltown Malbay (€135,000) and the Boghill Centre at Kilfenora will receive €90,000.

CLDC CEO Doirin Graham said LAGs should know in the coming weeks what their final allocation under the current Leader Programme will be.