Our two counties look set to benefit form more than €326,000 allocated under the Local Enhancement Programme.
The €7million pot for projects across the country has been unveiled by Minister for Rural & Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD.
€156,072.58 is coming the way of Carlow with Kilkenny’s share at €170,519.37 in capital supports considered essential for many small community groups and organisations.
Focus on the spend for next year is on small capital works and improvements as well as the purchase of equipment for community use.
Minister Calleary said: “Today, together with Minister Buttimer, I am delighted to announce a new round of funding of €7million for the Local Enhancement Programme. This funding that will support thousands of small but vital community groups across the country.
“Since becoming the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, I have had the pleasure of visiting many of these communities groups and have and felt the vibrancy that is exists within them. I really commend these community groups and their hard-working committees for their volunteerism and for providing valuable spaces that strengthen bonds and maintain the fabric of communities.
“Supporting local communities to shape their future is a key focus of the government’s current rural development policy, ‘Our Rural Future’. A consultation process is currently open to inform the development of the next iteration of this policy and I encourage people to share their views on what matters most for rural Ireland and its people.
“The LEP funding I am announcing today will benefit people in every single county across the country and will ensure that a wide range of important small scale, ground-up projects can be delivered to the areas that need them most, by committed people serving their local communities.
“I encourage all interested groups to get in touch with their Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) that administers the fund in their area.”
