Over €16.5m allocated to community projects across the country

Fri, 02 Aug, 2024 - 19:00

Tadgh McNally, Political Reporter

More than €16.5m worth of funding has been allocated to deliver 185 community projects across the country, Rural Affairs Minister Heather Humphreys has announced.

The funding is set to be allocated to develop projects, including upgrading sports facilities, parks, community centres, walking trails and playgrounds.

There are 15 projects set to be funded across both Cork City and county, with over €1.1m due to be allocated to the developments.

The majority of these projects, 11, will be completed across Cork County, including the redevelopment of the Charelsfort Walk in Kinsale and the introduction of an irrigation system at Bandon GAA club.

In Cork City, there will be €75,000 allocated to the Carrig Centre for the development of their Walkway Canopy project, while Cork City Council will receive €73,000 to develop playgrounds and pitches.

In Macroom, there is set to be a refurbishment of the Coolcower picnic area as well as a footpath extension out to Coolcower House, with €100,000 being allocated to the project.

A walking trail in Midleton, sought by Midleton GAA, has also been approved for funding of €50,000.

The projects themselves are being funded through the Government’s Community Recognition Fund, with Ms Humphreys saying that further tranches of funding will be announced in the coming months.

“This major investment, under the Community Recognition Fund, will support the upgrade of sports facilities, community centres, walking trails, parks, playgrounds and so much more,” Ms Humphreys said.

“The projects are diverse in nature — demonstrating the fact that communities have different needs.

All the projects being funded today are designed to bring communities together and make them more vibrant places to live, work and visit.

She added that the allocation was about “giving back and saying ‘thank you’ to communities for what they do week-in, week-out.”

“I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this funding will have on the ground in communities all across Ireland,” Ms Humphreys said.

Phase two of the Community Recognition Fund is open for applications from community groups and councils until September 30, while Phase three will remain open until January 31, 2025.

The Community Recognition Fund itself was first introduced last year, as part of a Government proposal to support communities which welcome refugees to their local area. A total of €50m was approved for the fund across 2023, with 900 projects being provided with funding.

There is a minimum application of €50,000 for this current round of applications under the fund.

This current tranche of funding is specifically being targeted at projects in cities, towns and villages that have taken in either Ukrainian refugees or international protection applicants in recent months and years.

Junior Minister for Community Development Joe O’Brien urged community groups to work with local councils to apply for the grant funding, saying there is “plenty of time to plan and prepare” ahead of the next closing date.