McAleer welcomes success of scheme

Mr McAleer, chair of the AERA Committee said: “The Rural Development Programme (RDP) was set up to tackle poverty and inequalities in services and infrastructure within rural communities. A key component of the RDP is the Rural Business Investment Scheme which has the objective of stimulating growth and development in rural areas by supporting small and micro rural businesses.

“I have been in contact recently with Minister Poots regarding the current programme and its successor and in his response he confirmed that at the end of June 2020 there has been 789 full time and 170-part time jobs created. This is a superb achievement and a very welcome boost for the local economy.

“Senior officials have also confirmed to me that 100% of the LEADER funding has been allocated. This represents a huge investment of £80m in the social and economic development of rural areas and is also a testament to the dedication of the staff, Councillors and social partners on the Local Action Groups (LAGs).

“Whilst the department has not furnished me with projections, it would be fair to predict that the figure of 874 jobs will increase as the dispersion of this funding continues until 2023 and also other measures in the RDP such as ‘Basic Services’ will also have created jobs in addition to the 874 figure.

“Whilst these jobs are very welcome, it should be noted that they came about due to our membership of the EU Rural Development Programme, which also provided the funding. Unfortunately, Brexit extricates us from the EU along with the accompanying funding streams. I am aware that DAERA is working on a new rural policy to effectively succeed the RDP and I have been lobbying the DAERA Minister and Finance Minister in respect of this.”