It's claimed that Clare is well positioned to capitalise on funding offered by the government's new national plan for rural Ireland, and that there could be benefits here this year.
It's claimed that Clare is well positioned to capitalise on funding offered by the government's new national plan for rural Ireland, and that there could be benefits here this year.
That's according to Clare County Council's new Director of Rural Development who says a number of priorities for funds have already been identified.
The local authority is looking to capitalise on the 60 million euro national plan.
A programme to boost rural Ireland has been in train for some time, especially after the issue featured strongly in the last General Election.
The government's 273-point Action Plan for Rural Development promises to revitalise 600 towns and villages, and support 135,000 new jobs within four years.
However, questions have been raised about who exactly will benefit, how and when.
Here, a forum drawn from across community, business and state interests will convene to identify eligible projects and draw down funding is set to meet in February.
Meanwhile, there's been a more guarded welcome from one prominent member of the tourism sector here.
The plan's identified tourism as a key driver of rural development, and commits to increasing visitor numbers by 12 percent by 2019.
But Head of Loop Head Tourism Cillian Murphy says the county's already attracting plenty of visitors, and instead needs strategies to make the most of those already coming here.
