Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has welcomed an allocation of more than €50,000 to nine agricultural shows throughout the county as a practical measure to support the return of rural activities after the lifting of Covid restrictions.
The shows that will benefit from funding of between €5,000 and €6,000 are Newmarket-on-Fergus, Ennistymon, Kilrush, Corofin, Bridgetown, Kildysart, Clarecastle, Mullagh and Scariff.
“This is a really welcome measure and I want to congratulate Minister Humphreys for her continued support of Rural Ireland. This important funding will be administered by the Irish Shows Association (ISA) and based on vouched expenditure.
“Funding such as this will place show committees on a much firmer financial footing. The volunteer is at the heart of every Agricultural Show across County Clare and this funding will go some way in recognising their role.
“The Agricultural Shows support programme represents a new milestone in the approach to rural development policy and adopts a more strategic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities
Deputy Carey also welcomed the approval of over €313,000 in LEADER programme funding to the Irish Shows Association, which will be used to support the roll out of a National Shows Management software system for use by agricultural and rural shows nationwide.
