Contact BNS BNS's staff are always available to answer queries during office hours on 056-7752111. BNS also has a fax number 056-7752333 and an e-mail address info@bnsrd.com at our main office at 42 Parliament Street, Kilkenny. Telephone calls outside of office hours are recorded and the relevant staff members will return the call as soon as possible. As the development officers frequently work out of the office and to avoid un-necessary journeys, it is recommended that personal callers ring the office to arrange a meeting before visiting.

Who does what?

BNS provides grant-aid both to those seeking to establish new businesses in rural areas who do not qualify for aid from other state or EU agencies and those seeking support for community projects or processes to the general benefit of the rural community.

Basket making is a traditional enterprise supported by BNS Community Queries "If you have a general query on the LEADER + programmes or on BNS's activities, the administrator will assist you. If your query is related to community groups based in the South or East of County Kilkenny, you should ask to speak to Mairead Rohan. Questions on community group projects in the rest of County Kilkenny or in the south-east of County Tipperary should be directed to Angela Campion. Mairead or Angela will be happy to offer whatever advice or assistance they can and will if necessary arrange to meet with you at a time and venue of your convenience.

Enterprise Queries Enquiries from potential promoters of private enterprise projects anywhere in the county should contact Gabrielle Carroll . On hearing your project idea Gabrielle will inform you of the likeihood of grant aid from BNS and advise you on the next steps. If approprite a meeting can be arranged to discuss the project in further detail. LEADER + has a specific focus on projects benefiting youth and women

Training and information Training and information inquires should be directed to Bernie Byrne who will provide advise and support on the development of new programmes or on existing programmes.