The country’s 49 Local Development Companies are calling for an extra € 19 million per year for the rural development programme known as LEADER.
The call is being made in the Budget 2023 submission to Government by the Irish Local Development Network which is the representative body for the 49 Local Development Companies around the country, including many in Donegal.
It says the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme funding is now at approximately half the level it was at in 2008.
Spokesperson Jim Finn says recent reductions in the budget are damaging business development in rural Ireland..
