THE first grants for local community groups and micro enterprises in Waterford have arrived from the Fisheries Local Action Group for 2020, a Fine Gael Senator has said.
Senator John Cummins said the grants are co-funded by the Government and European Union and are very welcome and timely boosts to the recipients in Waterford
“The total value of the grants nationwide is €1.2m so it is correct that groups and enterprises here should receive this much needed funding. The grants set out to assist with investments being made in local projects.
“Seven Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) were established under the country’s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme. Each group takes care of a region in the country and assists with the distribution for the funding here in Waterford Senator Cummins said.
The groups and funding received for Waterford:
“I will be working with the Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Dara Calleary to ensure further funding comes to our fishing communities here in Waterford in the months and years ahead.
“The FLAG scheme is unique as representatives from our fishing communities help to make the funding award decisions. Local knowledge and experience is to the fore with this allocation of public funds. I would also like to acknowledge the late Noel McDonagh whom I know was a great help to many over the years with their applications.” Senator Cummins said.
“There is no question this funding will help micro enterprises involved in fisheries and aquaculture, marine tourism and marine leisure activities. In Waterford its great to see the spread of funding applications from An Rinn to Dunmore East.
The one thing that unites all these projects is their contribution to the economic and social development of traditional fishing communities, which is what the FLAG scheme is all about.”
Details of the FLAG scheme and how to apply can be found at www.bim.ie/schemes/