Page 20 - COBH EDITION 21ST DECEMBER DIGITAL VERSION

Minister Stanton welcomes over €172,000 in LEADER Food Initia-
tive funding for local companies

Cork East Fine Gael TD and Minister of State at the Department of Justice, David Stanton,
has welcomed the allocation of €172,652 in LEADER funding for three local food production
businesses. The funding is being made available by the Department of Agriculture, Food and
the Marine through the LEADER Food Initiative is managed by the Department of Rural and
Community Development.

“It is great news that three Cork East Constituency food production businesses, Hodgins Sau-
sages Ltd, Frank Hederman and Ellen Lewis Hanley, have been successful under the LEADER
Food Initiative. This initiative will provide up to €15 million over the next two years to sup-
port the development of food and drink businesses throughout rural Ireland.

“Hodgins Sausages Ltd who are based in Mitchelstown have secured substantial funding of
€156,586.50 to purchase equipment which will support this family run to the develop two new
product categories.

“Frank Hederman who runs an artisan smokehouse at Belvelly on Great Island also
secured €9,617.50. These funds were provided to enhance the refrigeration facili-
ties at his plant which forms part of a phased strategic development plan.
“Ellen Lewis Hanley based in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork will receive €6,448.28 for the expansion
of baking facility to allow for product diversification and new product offering.
The LEADER Food Initiative a range of business needs such as the renovation and extension
of production facilities and the purchase of processing equipment. It also provides vital sup-
ports to businesses in the artisan food and beverage sector particularly with regard to busi-
ness development such as market development, competitiveness, and innovation.
Minister Stanton continued: “The food and drinks sector is one of Ireland’s most innovative in-
digenous industries and is a vital source of employment in rural areas. The funding approved
today will make a real difference to product and process development for these diverse and
exciting small, micro and artisanal food businesses, and help to position them to avail of
future market opportunities.
“I understand that LEADER Food Initiative will continue to support other food producers over
the next two years. Anyone interested in applying or getting further information on this
tailored funding programme should go to: https://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/rural-development/
leader/”
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SPRING WORKSHOPS at Sirius Arts Centr

Perspex Light Catcher #Workshop with Susan Walsh.
Sunday 03 Feb 2019.
2 x 1.5 hour workshops at 10-11.30am & 12.15-1.45pm.
Join artist Susan Walsh in this collaborative parent and child perspex light catcher work-
shop. Use glass paints, alcohol inks and light permeable materials to create your own
stained glass effect piece that can be hung in a window to reflect and refract sunlight.
€5 per person (child/adult) - pay on arrival, advance booking advised.

Email info@siriusartscentre.ie with the subject heading ‘Perspex Light Catcher Work-
shop’. Suitable for children 6+.