McIlveen welcomes progress with £8.3million LEADER Programme in Fermanagh and Omagh Council area

DAERA Minister Michelle McIlveen has welcomed the progress made by Fermanagh and Omagh Local Action Group (LAG) in delivering the £8.3million LEADER element of the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme (RDP), funded by DAERA and the EU.

The Minister was speaking as she spent the day in Fermanagh engaging with farmers and various business enterprises.

Miss McIlveen met with the Board of Fermanagh and Omagh Local Action Group (LAG) in Enniskillen today where she handed over ‘Letters of Offer’ to two local rural businesses each worth £30,000.

She said: “The LEADER Programme provides an £8.3million investment opportunity for the Fermanagh and Omagh Council area towards the creation of rural jobs, the development of rural infrastructure for a range of community services and ensuring the sustainability of our rural communities.

“One of my key objectives is to ensure we support rural businesses to grow and create employment opportunities. I am therefore delighted to hand over ‘Letters of Offer’, each to the value of £30,000, to Paul Donnelly of DIFCO Ltd, Carrickmore, County Tyrone and Jake McCoy of Re-Kurr NI Ltd, Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh to expand each of their respective rural businesses.”

The Minister concluded: “Now that the LEADER programme is up and running, I look forward to the delivery of many successful projects contributing to a thriving rural economy that contributes to prosperity and wellbeing.”

Barry Boyle, Chairperson of Fermanagh and Omagh Local Action Group who are tasked with the delivery of the Programme, looked forward to seeing the vital funding reaching the projects on the ground.

He commented: ‘‘The Local Action Group involves local people making decisions on programme delivery and ensuring that the investment available responds to local needs. This funding is a welcome boost in the current economic climate, and provides opportunities for new and existing micro and small enterprises to grow and contribute further to the rural economy and improving the quality of life in rural areas.”

For more information on the support available to you or to discuss a potential project contact Fermanagh and Omagh Local Action Group on 028 8225 0202.

Notes to editors: 

1. Fermanagh and Omagh Local Action Group has been appointed to implement the LEADER element of the NI Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020 in Fermanagh and Omagh Council area. The Programme is part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
2. Fermanagh and Omagh Local Action Group is one of ten LAGs across Northern Ireland and has been allocated a budget of approximately £8.3million to support rural communities in Fermanagh and Omagh.
3. The £8.3million will be available for small and micro businesses, local councils and the community/voluntary sector to develop rurally based projects. The emphasis will be on job creation, social inclusion and poverty reduction in rural areas.
4. Paul Donnelly DIFCO Ltd, Carrickmore, Co Tyrone has been awarded £30,000 to manufacture the track pads for a new specialist Peat Harvester and plans to create two jobs.
5. Jake McCoy Re-Kurr NI Ltd, Lisnaskea Co Fermanagh is a producer of uPVC plaster building products for the construction industry. The business has been awarded £30,000 to purchase an optical sorter and granulation equipment which will allow the business to create its own plastic and plans to create four jobs.
6. Follow DAERA on Twitter: @daera_ni
7. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office on 028 9052 4619 or email: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk.
8. Please note that the out of office hours pager number has changed. Any queries, please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974383 and your call will be returned. 

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