Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be seeking an increase in Leader funding under the budgetary process, as per the commitment in that regard in the programme of Government.

There are many good schemes in rural Ireland. The Minister of State, Deputy Ring, and I will review the schemes and we will do all we can to ensure this funding goes to rural Ireland. The regional employment development scheme piloted last year was very successful and could be developed further. During a recent visit to Tubbercurry I opened a project funded under the regional employment development scheme under which an old building vacated by a creamery was adapted into office space and provided with broadband and so on. I would like to see more projects of that type because they revitalise our rural towns and rural areas.

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