‘Issues with LEADER applications are holding back economic development locally’.
That’s according to Brendan Reilly from Breffni Integrated Development speaking in a meeting this afternoon in Bailieborough.
The meeting between a delegation from the Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and local representatives, will feed into the Committee’s current project, “What it takes to sustain a viable rural community”.
The LEADER issue was prominent in the discussion where the delegation were told that people in the county simply can’t access funding because the eligibility criteria has become so high.
Broadband was also highlighted as a key issue in the region which is holding back rural communities.
Meanwhile, local representatives explained to the delegation that construction education in the county is proving a success for employment.
Speaking in the meeting today, Brendan Reilly explained how vital LEADER funding is locally, yet how difficult it has become to access:
