Leitrim Integrated Development Company ……a community lives by the hands that built it Application under the National Rural Development Programme 2007‐2013 2 | TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ......................................................................................... 5 1.1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 5 1.2 SUBMISSION OVERVIEW............................................................................................................................ 6 1.3 APPLICANT DETAILS INCLUDING COMPANY NAME AND CRO NUMBER............................................................. 7 1.4 LOCATION/AREA..................................................................................................................................... 7 1.5 PROCESS OF PREPARING APPLICATION........................................................................................................ 7 1.6 STRUCTURE OF APPLICATION DOCUMENT ................................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER 2 – THE GROUP................................................................................................................................... 9 2.1 GROUP BACKGROUND ‐ LEITRIM INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT COMPANY ......................................................... 9 2.2 TRACK RECORD..................................................................................................................................... 15 2.2.1 Arigna LEADER .................................................................................................................... 15 2.2.2 County Leitrim Partnership Company ..................................................................................... 17 2.3 GROUP STAFFING AND CAPABILITY ........................................................................................................... 18 2.4 MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES ................................................................................................................... 18 2.5 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ......................................................................................................... 19 2.6 FINANCIAL STATUS ................................................................................................................................ 19 2.7 COMPLIANCE WITH DEPARTMENTAL GUIDELINES IN RELATION TO THE MEMBERSHIP AND OBJECTIVES OF LAG.... 20 2.8 I.T SYSTEMS & CAPABILITY..................................................................................................................... 20 2.9 GROUP GOVERNANCE & BOARD STRUCTURE.............................................................................................. 21 CHAPTER 3 – NEEDS ASSESSMENT .................................................................................................................. 23 3.1 DESCRIPTION OF TERRITORY/AREA ......................................................................................................... 23 3.1.1 Population Overview:­ .................................................................................................................... 23 3.1.2 Age Profile ...................................................................................................................................... 24 3.1.3 Education Profile ............................................................................................................................ 25 3.1.4 Vulnerable / Minority Groups ......................................................................................................... 27 3.1.5 Broadband Connectivity ................................................................................................................. 27 3.1.6 Transport........................................................................................................................................ 28 3.1.7 Volunteerism .................................................................................................................................. 28 3.2 CONSULTATION PROCESS........................................................................................................................ 28 3.3 SOCIO‐ECONOMIC PROFILE (INCL AGRICULTURE)....................................................................................... 30 3.3.1 Employment.................................................................................................................................... 30 3.3.2 Unemployment................................................................................................................................ 32 3.3.3 Enterprise....................................................................................................................................... 33 3.3.4 Tourism .......................................................................................................................................... 34 3.3.4 Agriculture ..................................................................................................................................... 35 3.3.5 Forestry .......................................................................................................................................... 40 3.4 WIDER RELEVANT RESEARCH AND EVALUATION........................................................................................ 41 3.5 WIDER RELEVANT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES....................................................................................... 41 3.6 CHANGES AND TRENDS SINCE PREVIOUS PLANS ......................................................................................... 42 3.6.1 Social Environment......................................................................................................................... 42 3.6.2 Economic Environment................................................................................................................... 43 3.7 AREA STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND THREATS (SWOT ANALYSIS).................................... 44 3.7.1 Strengths ........................................................................................................................................ 44 3.7.2 Weaknesses.................................................................................................................................... 44 3.7.3 Opportunities.................................................................................................................................. 45 3.7.4 Threats .......................................................................................................................................... 45 3.8 NEEDS AND PRIORITISATION ................................................................................................................... 46 3.8.1 Forms of Assistance......................................................................................................................... 46 3.8.2 Facilities and Services..................................................................................................................... 46 3.8.3 Basic Services ­ Economy and Rural Population.............................................................................. 46 3.8.4 Village Renewal and Development.................................................................................................. 47 3.8.5 Conservation and Upgrading of Rural Heritage.............................................................................. 47 3 | CHAPTER 4 – THE PROGRAMME...................................................................................................................... 48 4.1 VISION ................................................................................................................................................. 48 4.2 STRATEGY ............................................................................................................................................ 48 4.3 DETAILED AIMS AND OBJECTIVES............................................................................................................. 48 4.4 TARGETING .......................................................................................................................................... 50 4.5 PROGRAMME STRUCTURE ....................................................................................................................... 51 4.6 MEASURES, PRIORITIES AND ACTIONS’...................................................................................................... 52 4.6.1 Diversification into Non­Agricultural Activities .............................................................................. 53 4.6.2 Support for business creation and development.............................................................................. 64 4.6.3 Encouragement of Tourism Activities ............................................................................................. 77 4.6.4 Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population .................................................................... 86 4.6.5 Village Renewal and Development.................................................................................................. 89 4.6.6 Conservation and Upgrading of the Rural Heritage ........................................................................ 92 4.6.7 Training, learning opportunities and information