Significant LEADER Funding approved for New Projects in Rural Fingal

Significant investment has been secured for Fingal projects at the most recent Dublin Rural LEADER Approvals Meeting. The Dublin Rural LEADER Local Action Group, which oversees the LEADER Programme in Dublin, approved €230,748.76 in funding for 5 new projects in Rural Dublin at its November Online Meeting. This brings the total number of projects approved during the LEADER Transition Programme to 15 since it began on April 1st, 2021, with a total value of €543,984.52. 

The approved projects are in the areas of Economic Development, Rural Environment and Social Inclusion.  

Fingal LEADER Partnership CEO, Eilish Harrington, welcomed the approval of the 5 projects. “All were excellent projects enhancing services in the rural towns and villages of Fingal. It’s great to see communities benefiting from LEADER funding to help develop and grow their amenities, especially during the difficult times we are all currently in. I would encourage more rural communities and businesses to contact LEADER to avail of the remaining funds during the next 14 months.”

The projects approved for funding are:

Balbriggan Meals on Wheels which is approved for €24,063.75 for an outdoor dining area which will be of enormous help to facilitate the provision of meals to their clients in a safe outdoor setting.

Donabate Portrane Community Centre CLG which is approved for €24,354.00 for a Feasibility Study to capture the needs of existing groups that use the facilities to assist and guide them in expanding in line with community needs. 

St Maur's GAA Club Rush which is approved for €89,154.58 to install rainwater harvesting and irrigation in St Maur's GAA Club premises and for use on the pitches. The Project will reduce the demand on the public water supply and reduce the volume of water going into the public drainage system.

Ballyboughal Boxing Club CLG which is approved for €47,051.43 to upgrade the Ballyboughal Boxing Club Premises

Skerries Tourism CLG which is approved for €46,125.00 for a Winter in Skerries Event from December 1st, 2021, to January 1st, 2022. It is intended that several locations across Skerries will be transformed with colourful projections and lighting displays to cheer locals and, more importantly, visitors alike in what have been a challenging 18 months. It is hoped that Skerries winter lights will become an important part of the local Christmas tradition with the primary ambition of increasing footfall and economic activity.

Welcoming the latest funding announcement, the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Seana O’Rodaigh said 'I would like to thank the Local Action Group for its support of these Fingal Projects which will enable the continued development of sustainable communities in our rural areas’.

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

Commenting on the outcome of the meeting Emer O’Gorman, Fingal County Council’s Director of Services for Economic, Enterprise, Tourism and Cultural Development said that ‘the Dublin Rural LEADER LAG and Fingal County Council continue to work together to support investment in our rural areas. This partnership approach helps to support our communities and provides much needed stimulus to the local economy.’ 

Declan Ryan, the LAG Manager, thanked the LAG members for their continued support in approving the projects and said that ’the current LEADER Transition Programme is on track to deliver its full allocated funding to new projects by the end of 2022. The Dublin Rural LEADER LAG will continue to deliver new investment in rural areas in 2022 and is actively seeking new project ideas and proposals in this regard.’