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Environment Minister Phil Hogan announced today that €5 million in funding will be provided in 2012/2013 to support the creation and development of Agri-Food enterprises in rural Ireland. Based on recent research conducted by the Local Development sector this funding has the potential to create more than 200 jobs directly as well as sustaining a number of jobs currently available in the sector.

The funding will provide much needed support to Artisan food producers in Ireland and will be delivered using the “bottom up” LEADER approach through the 35 Local Development Companies contracted to deliver the RDP in Ireland.

 Minister Hogan said:

The Agri-Food sector is one of Ireland’s most important indigenous manufacturing sectors and continues to make a very significant contribution to the Irish economy in a difficult economic environment. A significant part of enterprise activity in rural areas focuses on food and food-related businesses and the continued provision of support for these businesses is critical as we look to ways to generate employment in rural Ireland. LEADER has a long and productive history of support for the agri-food sector in Ireland and I am happy to announce this funding which will continue to ensure this support.

The Minister added,

Anyone wishing to inquire about this funding should contact their Local Development Company; contact details for all companies contracted to deliver the RDP in Ireland can be found on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie