Fine Gael TD for Roscommon/South Leitrim, Frank Feighan, has warmly welcomed Environment Minister Phil Hogan's reallocation of €8m within the Rural Development Programme (RDP). Deputy Feighan says this move will now provide the financial impetus required for many important projects for rural communities.

He said: "While the overall RDP budget remains the same, the re-allocation of funding means that projects which are ready to go but require the requisite funding will now get the green light.

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"The € 8 million has been reallocated from those funding programmes under Leader which have been undersubscribed to the Basic Services Measure, where there has been huge demand.

"Projects under the Basic Services Measure which are eligible for funding include the provision of amenity, leisure and recreation facilities and the provision, refurbishment and extension of community infrastructure and facilities, including community centres.

"€10 million has already been reallocated to the Basic Services Measure but applications in relation to the latter allocation sought a total of about €18m in funding. Accordingly, an extra €8 million has now been reallocated to allow many more projects get off the ground.

"I understand that priority will be given to those projects which meet the eligibility criteria but missed the cut the last time around. I'm sure that many of these projects will now be reconsidered in the light of the additional funding."

(CD/GK)