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Joe O’Brien TD, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development & Department of Social Protection visited projects and community initiatives supported by his Departments in Co Leitrim on Wednesday (27th) of October.
The Minister’s visit started at Fenagh Cemetery where he unveiled the remembrance seat in memory of deceased workers on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS). He also visited Fenagh Peace Garden which was funded, under the EU’s Peace IV programme.
Speaking after his visit to Fenagh the Minister said:
“The Rural Social Scheme gives a lifeline to low-income farmers and fishermen and women. In return people participating in the Scheme provide services that benefit rural communities.
“In rural communities we see and appreciate many examples of the valuable work carried by the participants in the RSS. It is also important to recognise the role this and similar schemes play in social inclusion and developing life skills allowing participants to contribute fully to society.”
The Minister then went on to visit Leitrim Development Company Offices in Drumshanbo to meet staff and SICAP beneficiaries. The Leitrim Development Company supports a wide range of community and enterprise projects at European and local level, including PEACE IV, LEADER, rural development, SICAP and RSS.
The Minister visited Leitrim Warmer Homes which benefits under the Community Services Programme.
While in Drumshanbo he visited the Food Hub where he met participants from the Direct Provision Centre in Ballinamore who completed the Hospitality Operations course. The Food Hub was established by a social enterprise and is home to artisan food production companies.
From there he went on to visit the Department of Social Protection Office in Carrick-on-Shannon which he followed with a visit to meet staff and volunteers at the Volunteer Centre. The aim of Volunteer Centres is to match volunteers to suitable local volunteer opportunities within community-based organisations.
His final visits in Leitrim were to the Breffni and Drumsna Resource Centres. At these Centres he met staff and volunteers who have benefitted under Community Enhancement Programme and Community Services Programme.
Speaking about his visit to Leitrim, Minister O’Brien said:
“Visiting projects in Leitrim to see the great work that communities are carrying out with the support of the Departments of Rural and Community Development and Social Protection and with broader Government has emphasised for me the importance of supporting the development of our communities.”
“I am delighted meet the participants and to see first-hand the difference that SICAP and community employment programmes make to the day to day lives of those who benefit from them in our communities.”
“While Government supports communities so that they can develop to become vibrant and inclusive, what people do on the ground brings this support to a higher level. The people I met today show they take pride in developing their own communities and their efforts are evident in the welcoming places I have visited.”
Leitrim Integrated Development Company CLG trading as Leitrim Development Company, is a community led Local Development Company and a registered charity. They seek to promote, support, assist and engage in social and enterprise development to facilitate rural and urban regeneration while developing communities to benefit and promote from within.
Leitrim Warmer Homes established in 2007, is an energy efficiency contractor serving the counties of Sligo, Donegal, Cavan, Roscommon and Leitrim.
This restored premises is a state of the art food specific enterprise centre of 14 individual food business units offering world class food production facilities.
Their stakeholders include the International Fund for Ireland, Arigna LEADER, CLÁR, Enterprise Ireland, Interreg III A, Leitrim County Enterprise Board, Green Box, Bord Bia, Musgrave Group and the Leitrim County Council Peace II funding. The premises also houses a community kitchen and carries out food sector training.
Rural Social Scheme is an employment support measure for long-term unemployed people and other people in receipt of long-term payments from the Department of Social Protection. It provides a supplementary income for low-income farmers and fishermen or women who are unable to earn an adequate living.
SICAP assists both individuals and groups through a two-pronged approach; supporting communities and supporting individuals. SICAP target groups include; children and families living in disadvantaged areas, lone parents, new communities (including refugees/asylum seekers), people living in disadvantaged communities, people with disabilities, Roma, the unemployed (including those not on the Live Register), travellers, and young unemployed people living in disadvantaged areas.
LEADER is a rural development programme co-funded by the EU which operates a locally-led, bottom-up, approach to meeting the needs of local communities and businesses. The programme supports private enterprises and community groups in rural areas. LEADER forms part of Ireland’s multi-annual Rural Development Programme which is co-financed by the EU and is part of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP).
The PEACE IV programme is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in Ireland. It was designed to enhance cross-border co-operation, promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and prosperous society. It operates within a clearly defined area including Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of Ireland including Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo. The PEACE IV Programme is 85% funded through the European Regional Development Fund and has a total value of €270 million. Match-funding of 15% is financed by the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive
Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) is targeted towards enhancing facilities in disadvantaged communities. It provides small grants to community groups in a manner consistent with each areas Local Economic and Community Plan. The Community Enhancement Programme was launched for the first time in 2018.
The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community companies and co-operatives to deliver local social, economic and environmental services. The CSP aims to tackle disadvantage by providing a co-funding contribution towards the cost of employing a manager and full-time equivalent positions.