DECLARATION OF SUPPORT FOR IRISH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES

Local development is the cornerstone of rural development, It is important to empower from the bottom up! At the end of the day the people on the local level have more experience dealing with their areas and know the best action to take.

Local development companies are key to economic development through its bottom-up approach.

Over the years, our Local Development Companies have developed a wealth of skills, expertise and general know-how in the delivery of the LEADER and the Local and Community Development Programmes. To dispense with this very valuable resource would be a very definite case of false economy.

Blackwater Avondhu have served the community efficiently and should be allowed to continue, but typically our politicans want to fix something that works!!

I recently put forward a proposal to Cavan/Monaghan Leader. Immediately they could see the merits of my proposal and advised me on the scoping of the project before moving forward. During the scoping process my current business became very busy. This resulted in my not having enough time to move the project forward. However I hope to submit the proposal in the future when I have people in place to manage my current business. In a time when the economy is starting to turn a corner I cannot see the merits of changing the system as it is. Local Authorities are already under pressure as a result of cuts to their resources during the recession. In my opinion aligning the local development companies with the local authorities will only serve to slow the process of taking a business from concept, to realisation, to day to day management. Business is about moving forward constantly and the process of alignment in order to save money sends out the wrong message to prospective entrepreneurs. In business we constantly look at costs, but we also look at processes. If making a system change to save on costs slows the system down then this is not good business.

I fully support the existing company's

Why change something that works in this country, helping small enterprises.

full support

Fantastic organisation working for rural communities

We need our local development companies, without them we would not be in business today.

This change is another grab for power in dublin

These schemes are the lifeline to rural communities where employment opportunities are scarce

please support these groups

Without these groups, many in the community would be lost. Such projects should be expanded, not cut.

please leave our very caring & helpful avondhu blackwater to us elderly people who know us & care for us. Thanks

I have asked all local election candidates about the proposals to dismantle the only support structures that work in rural Ireland ie. the local development companies. Sounds like they are all being fed the same lies and party line by the minister. Shame on you phil hogan. Save the local development companies.

We need the help and advice of Ballyhoura in rural areas'

the 1 to 1 advice guidance support and encouragement can only be delivered by someone who knows the community and that the community trusts....for me these can only be provided by the ballyhoura people that ive met over the years in many capacities

CLDC provide essential supports to the community and business startups.

There is much more to helping communities develop and progress than merely handing them money. KCLP has worked with local communities in assisting them develop their project and seeing it through to fruition Its a package that communities need.