Minister Hogan approves €180,000 under the RDP for the Order of Malta Training Unit – Thurles.
Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government announced today (7 November, 2012) that he has given sanction for North Tipperary Leader Partnership to approve funding of €179,971.79, to the Order of Malta Thurles to fit out and equip a training unit in Thurles under the Training and Information measure of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.
Announcing the funding Minister Hogan said:
“This project will be of immense benefit to Thurles with it’s total project costs of €239,962.39. This funding will enable the Unit Headquarters to provide ongoing training for its members in First-Aid, Community Care and allied skills, together with the provision of similar training for members of the public, including community, voluntary and sporting groups and employees in industry and commerce who are obliged to qualify in Occupational First Aid. I know it will improve the quality of life and will strengthen the social and economic fabric for all the areas inhabitants.”
The LEADER elements of the Programme offer many challenges and opportunities in terms of addressing the needs of improving the quality of life in rural areas and providing greater opportunities for farm diversification. It is focused on the development of micro-enterprises, rural services, rural recreation and rural tourism. It is hoped that, by focusing on these services, the Programme will lead to sustainable development, which in turn will ensure prosperity for the rural areas.
The Minister added “the project will now go back to the Board of North Tipperary Leader Partnership for the final approval on the project. This is in line with the EU’s “bottom-up” approach to rural development”.
