Government called on to provide extra €19 million for LEADER rural development programme

A call is being made on the Government to provide an extra 19 million Euro for LEADER, the rural development programme.

49 of the Local Development companies says the money needs to be restored to levels last seen prior to the economic crash in 2008.

The request for funding is included in the Local Development Companies' pre-Budget submission.

Spokesperson Jim Finn says the 19 million Euro sought has one key objective: