EU funding hammer-blow set to hit Mayo hard

MAYO is set for a significant cut in European funding for infrastructural projects.

It follows the European Commission’s decision to upgrade the border/northwest region from being classified as a 'region in transition' to a 'more developed region' for the next EU funding period of 2028-2034.

Co-funding from Europe for projects will drop from 60% to 40% from 2028, director of services Tom Gilligan has warned councillors.

The government will have to fund the gap, which will have implications for projects.

The new designation has been confirmed by the Commission to the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA).

Mr. Gilligan described it as a 'very significant development', which will unfortunately have an impact on Mayo and counties in the west and border region.

The skewed data behind the decision was highlighted by Sinn Féin Councillor Gerry Murray.

Regions are classified based on GDP per head of population.

Profits earned abroad are being repatriated to Ireland, skewing the figures.

“It is saying we are much wealthier than we actually are,” he commented. It's 'artificial'.

He agreed with the director that it will be detrimental for the county.

* Published under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme