Cork council warns community groups risk losing out on unclaimed grants

Cork County councillors said groups were struggling with a short spending window, paperwork and difficulties accessing the council’s online portal

Although applications were submitted to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht by the end of April, groups could not be notified of their awards until July 2. That left them less than four months to spend their allocation and submit the necessary receipts. File picture

Community groups have been urged to claim their grants before an October 31 deadline, amid warnings that unspent funding could have to be returned to the Government. 

Only 70 of 276 approved grants across Cork County had been paid out by the time of the Western Division committee meeting, leaving council staff chasing outstanding claims but councillors said groups were struggling with a short spending window, paperwork and difficulties accessing the council’s online portal.

Cork County Council official Andrew Lewis said the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) had a countywide allocation of €277,633 this year. 

Although applications were submitted to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht by the end of April, groups could not be notified of their awards until July 2. 

That left them less than four months to spend their allocation and submit the necessary receipts.

Mr Lewis said: “I think a lot of groups are struggling with that time frame.” 

He said staff had issued two email reminders following the award notifications and had followed up with phone calls to almost every group.

Councillors were asked to contact organisations in their areas and encourage them to submit claims. 

The report also showed sharply different levels of demand between West Cork and Bandon–Kinsale municipal districts, which each received €46,271.50. 

West Cork received 77 applications, with 63 successful, compared with 20 applications and 19 approvals in Bandon–Kinsale. Mr Lewis said stronger demand in West Cork meant awards had to be reduced proportionately.

Fianna Fáil councillor Alan Dromey said groups receiving less than they had sought needed time to raise the balance. 

He said newly funded organisations also faced delays obtaining council supplier numbers and tax-clearance documentation. 

Mr Dromey said: “These groups are very, very hard working. They’re probably doing the best they can.” 

His party colleague, councillor Deirdre Kelly, said Dunmanway Town Soccer Club had experienced difficulty accessing the portal. Council staff accepted scanned documents after she raised the issue. 

Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington suggested that any money not claimed should be used to top up other approved grants rather than returned to the department.

Mr Lewis said the October deadline was intended to leave time for possible re-allocations through the remaining Local Community Development Committee meetings in November and December.

He said the council would press the department for earlier approvals in future, ideally allowing groups to be notified by early April. “The last thing you want to do is give that money back to the department,” he said.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.