Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, was today joined by Government colleagues and members of rural communities from Donegal, Sligo and Mayo at a #RuralOpportunity event in Bluestack Hall, Drimarone, Co Donegal.
The event was focused on raising awareness of the wide variety of Government supports available to rural areas throughout the region. The event also provided advice on how to access Project Ireland 2040 funding for rural, or community, projects.
Minister Ring was joined at the event by Joe McHugh TD, Minister for Education and Skills and Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for Community Development, Natural Resources and Digital Development.
Groups from rural areas in Donegal, Sligo and Mayo, 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:
Included was Pól McFadden, Chairperson of the Falcarragh Parish Development Association spoke about how the delivery of a new community centre was supported by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the LEADER programme.
Speaking at the event, Minister Ring said that the case studies presented at the event are inspiring.
He said “Just listening to the people speak here today about how funding for rural projects is strengthening communities and building resilience has certainly inspired me. I hope that these stories will encourage others to apply for funding for their projects. Across Government we have made the supports available to assist projects that are sustainable and will make Ireland a better place for us all.”
He added “I think it is particularly appropriate that we are here in Donegal today for this event. Through Project Ireland 2040 we have an extremely ambitious plan for investment in Border regions and I want to take this opportunity today to reassure everyone that supporting communities in the border area is a priority for the Government.”
Minister McHugh congratulated Minister Ring on this initiative and also for all of his support for projects here in Donegal.
He said “Project Ireland 2040 is a major investment by the Government. We are doing this to make sure that as the population of the country grows we have balanced regional development and rural areas are attractive places for families to live.
“We have many skilled and talented people living in rural areas and in order to retain them we have to invest in rural infrastructure. These rural opportunity events show that we are prepared to do that.”
