Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Andrew Doyle, is encouraging organisers of food and artisan markets in Wicklow to apply for new Government funding.
“Today’s announcement is a great boost for community based markets across Wicklow. The scheme is open to all rural towns and villages with populations of up to 10,000 and offers potential funding of between €5,000-10,000 for development of existing or start-up local food and artisan markets.
“Those who are producing food and artisan products within their local communities deserve our support. This is the type of project which supports rural development in a very practical way, as it helps stimulate commercial and retail activity in rural high streets. It also helps to develop a strong sense of community involvement and achievement.
“Other parties talk up the demise of rural Ireland. Fine Gael doesn’t buy into this. We want to ‘change the conversation’ about rural Ireland. Rural Ireland is alive and we want to support and celebrate all that is good about rural Ireland by putting a spotlight on the great spirit, drive and passion of rural communities all over the country. That’s why Fine Gael is ‘Standing up for Rural Ireland’.
“Under this Fine Gael led government, the agricultural and tourism sectors are booming. Almost 200,000 people are employed in tourism and 8,000 additional jobs will be created in 2015. This Government has also overseen a 40% increase in food and beverage exports since 2009, supporting 170,000 jobs many of which are in rural areas.
The social farming initiative is the practice of offering, on a voluntary basis, farming, horticultural and animal related work experience as a choice to people who avail of a range of day support services. This CEDRA fund will provide up to 75% grant aid for initiatives that support social farming operations on family farms or in institutional settings. A funding range of €10,000-20,000 is envisaged for approved projects.
These two pilot initiatives, which are independent of each other, operate under the CEDRA Rural Innovation and Development Fund and attract a combined dedicated fund of up to €330,000 which is available for 2015 only.
“I would encourage anyone who’s interested in this funding scheme for local food and artisan markets to contact the Department of Agriculture. Application forms and schemes details can be found on www.agriculture.gov.ie/CEDRA/localfoodmarkets. The closing date is 14 August 2015.”