County Clare has received the fourth highest allocation nationally under the largest ever Rural Development Programme, announced by Rural Affairs Minister Éamon Ó Cuív.

Under the Programme, funding of €14,028,529 is being provided to Clare Local Development Company Ltd, 55% from the European Union and 45% from the Exchequer.

Welcoming the announcement, Clare TD Tony Killeen said that the Programme would provide individuals and organisations in every corner of Clare with an ideal opportunity to invest in their own communities.

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Mr Killeen said: "Despite the economic challenges facing the country, I believe that this is a time of great opportunity for rural areas. With the increasing urbanisation of society, there is renewed interest in rural recreation, marine-associated activities and indigenous small food production."

"The range of activities to be funded under this Programme are varied and include, diversification into non-agricultural activities, support for business creation, encouragement of tourism activities, basic services for the economy and rural population, village renewal and development, conservation and upgrading of rural heritage and training and information," added the TD.

The LEADER funding allocations have been made under Axes 3 and 4 of the new Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.

The €425.4 million announced nationally is almost treble the amount available in the last Programme (2000-2006), and the largest ever package for rural development.

(PR)