merrion street

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Mr. Michael Ring T.D., today announced that Corduff Rafferagh Community Association has been awarded LEADER funding of over €133,000. The funding will be used to renovate the Corduff Rafferagh Community Centre, including the provision of IT equipment for a new computer suite.

The Association has already received its Funding Offer from the LEADER Local Action Group in Monaghan and the project is expected to be concluded before the end of the year.

Minister Ring said that he was “delighted to see the LEADER programme progressing in County Monaghan and commended Corduff Rafferagh Community Association for their efforts in bringing this project forward. The Association has a long track record of investment in the local community and I am pleased that LEADER can assist with the current venture”.

Minister Ring added that “his Department is in the process of making a substantial number of changes to the LEADER Programme to make it more user friendly; the benefit of these changes is already being felt with an increase in project approvals in recent weeks”.

The Monaghan LEADER Local Action Group added that it would encourage all Community, Voluntary and Youth groups, Social Enterprises and Entrepreneurs in Monaghan who have an idea for a project, to make contact with the Monaghan LEADER office where they can receive support in developing their idea further.

Note to Editors

LEADER is a key component of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. It will provide funding of €250 million to enterprises and community groups throughout rural Ireland for projects that are selected by Local Action Groups (LAGs). The LAGs are made up of local representatives from both the public and private sector. The Monaghan Local Community Development Committee is the Local Action Group delivering LEADER in Monaghan with the assistance of Monaghan Integrated Development.


Funding is targeted at the priority areas identified in the Local Development Strategies developed by each LAG. These priorities come under the following themes:
· Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation
· Social Inclusion
· Rural Environment
Businesses and Communities interested in accessing assistance under the LEADER Programme should, in the first instance, contact their Local Action Group (LAG). Contact details for all LAGs are available here. The Monaghan LEADER Office can be contacted on 042 9749500.