Investment of €1.14 million approved for New Projects in Rural Dublin

There is great news for rural areas in Fingal and Dublin with the final approval of €1.14 million in funding for 11 new projects.  The Dublin Rural LEADER Local Action Group (LAG) which oversees the LEADER programme in Rural Dublin approved the investment in projects at an online meeting recently. The approved projects are in areas of Enterprise and Job Creation, Social Inclusion and Rural Environment.  Ten of the projects approved for funding are based in Fingal. These will generate new enterprise employment opportunities as well as significant investment in rural community facilities. The projects awarded were as follows:

• Glenasmole Community Association CLG (South Dublin) €500,000  Upgrade and renovation of existing Community Centre and amenities
• 153rd Lusk Scout Group €28,262.32 Carry out essential works on their Scout Den
• The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre Company CLG  €23,426.87 Purchase event seating, picnic benches and upgrade IT Systems
• Oldtown Community Council CLG €12,030.14 Upgrade works on the Community Centre
• Balbriggan Enterprise and Training Centre CLG €182,947.54  Renovation works on one unit of the centre
• Clann Mhuire GFC Naul  €23,077.38  Installation of a new walkway and upgrade of the carpark area
• Keoghs Crisps Limited  €100,615 Further development of factory resources to aid in company growth
• Ballyboughal Hedgerow Society  €6,750 Roll out training courses in Biodiversity for local community groups
• Musicantia CLG Balbriggan  €10,427.17 Undertake a Feasibility Study for the creation of a dedicated Roma Centre
• Lambay Irish Whiskey Company DAC €192,283.5  Establish a micro-distillery on Lambay Island with independent energy supply.
• Taylor’s Irish Chillies Lusk €62,228  Development of new product lines to expand their business

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. David Healy said 'I welcome this considerable funding to a wide range of recipients and would like to thank the Local Action Group for it’s approval of a number of important new projects that will support the development of sustainable communities in our rural areas. The funding will be invaluable to the enterprises and communities involved enabling them to continue to contribute positively to the economic prosperity and the quality of life of Fingal in these challenging times.' 

Laurence Ward from the Irish Farmers Association and current Chairperson of the Dublin Rural LEADER Local Action Group said ‘The investment decision is a much needed boost to rural areas during a very challenging time. This decision is great news for many people in the rural areas.’

Commenting on the outcome of the meeting Emer O’Gorman, Fingal County Council’s Director of Services for Economic, Enterprise, Tourism and Culture, said that ‘This most recent online meeting of the Dublin Rural LEADER Local Action Group, has approved its second largest ever investment at a single meeting. This investment will provide much needed stimulus in the local economy and we are very happy with this result for the project promoters’

Declan Ryan, the LAG Manager, thanked the LAG members for their support in approving the projects and said ‘The current LEADER Programme is on target to deliver its full allocated funding to new projects by the end of the year.’

This was reiterated by Eilish Harrington, Chief Executive Officer of Fingal LEADER Partnership who told the meeting that ‘the pipeline of new projects that will be seeking approval between now and the end of the year is very strong and that going forward the LEADER Programme is well positioned to deliver assistance to Enterprises and Communities on the ground in Rural Dublin’.