Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, was joined by Government colleagues and members of rural communities from Clare, Limerick and Galway at a #Rural Opportunity event in Saint Patrick’s Hall, Corofin, Co. Clare.
The event is focused on raising awareness of the wide variety of Government supports available to rural areas throughout the region. The event also provides advice on how to access Project Ireland 2040 funding for rural, or community, projects.
Minister Ring was joined at the event by Andrew Doyle TD, Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture and Pat Breen TD, Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection.
Groups from rural areas in Clare, Limerick and Galway, that have an interest in accessing Government supports, were invited to attend.
The audience heard from a number of individuals from the region about how funding has enabled them to deliver their successful projects including Breda McNamara is Chairperson of the Development Committee for Cnoc na Gaoithe Cultural Centre in Tulla, Co. Clare.
She told attendees how funding through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme helped refurbish a thriving centre that teaches traditional Irish language, music, song and dance.
Speaking at the event, Minister Ring said that the Government wants to see rural funding targeted into a number of key areas:
“This Government aims to support rural projects that improve the quality of life for citizens, create jobs and employment, encourage tourism, promote the Irish language and our culture. These are the areas that rural Ireland wants us to focus on and that is what we are doing. Across Government Departments and through Project Ireland 2040 there are a multiple of supports and funds available to those that have a good idea and want to access funding to make a real difference. I hope that people across the country will take inspiration from the case studies presented here today and seek funding for their projects. I always believe that local people are best placed to know what supports are needed and where the best rural opportunities exist.”
Minister Breen said: “The economic well-being of the country is dependent on a strong and thriving rural Ireland, with development being achieved in a balanced way across the country to provide opportunities for all. The Clare and mid-west region is making progress in relation to development and I think events like this one today show that real and meaningful support available from Government is making a difference. These funds provide rural communities with the opportunities to achieve their vision and realise their full potential.”
To find out more visit www.gov.ie/ruralopportunity.