MINISTER HOGAN VISITS THE LATTON QUARTER!

By Cianna McNally

A warm welcome was given to Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan when he visited Latton on Thursday last, 7th November to officially open a business and conference centre at Latton Resource Centre.

Funding of €322,528 for the project was provided under the Cavan Monaghan LEADER Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2013 but the entire cost of the new business and conference centre was over €430,000.
To ripples of laughter from those present Minister Hogan told how his first encounter with Latton was through Manager of ‘Fingers and Toes Community Childcare’ Alice Forde, whose family he had known all his life growing up in Kilkenny.

“I wasn’t in the door as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when she knew all about it and I certainly knew all about it!” he joked.

Minister Hogan said that Latton Social Services and Development represented all that was positive about what can be done by local communities when people work together.

“I think most people will agree when they look at this fine community facility that it is an exemplary example of what can be achieved by a vibrant rural community. It is not surprising therefore that the community has received funding from the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme.”
The new facility which is basically a complete new floor over the existing building will provide increased office space, storage, toilet facilities, photocopying room, kitchen facilities and a training/meeting room.

Minister Hogan said that the project confirmed the value of the LEADER approach to rural development. It provided support for and …