Seventy-five local projects to split over €330,000 in funding
SEVENTY-FIVE projects across Co Wicklow will receive more than €330,000 in funding between them under the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Community Enhancement Programme (CEP).
The announcement was made by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, on Thursday.
The Wicklow projects are among 3,000 nationwide that will receive funding under the scheme as part of an overall allocation of €12.5m.
The CEP provides capital grants to community groups and is aimed at enhancing facilities in disadvantaged communities through supportive investment in areas like childcare groups, playgrounds, recreational groups, sports grounds, landscaping, and initiatives involving the elderly.
In announcing the funding Minister Ring said: ‘A relatively small amount of money can go a long way and this investment will greatly benefit local community projects throughout the country.’
The application process for the CEP is administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area and the money was allocated following an open application process launched in May.
In addition to specific group and organisation allocations, funding through the programme will also go towards community projects including energy efficient upgrades, community gardens, provision of defibrillators and CCTV in addition to sports and IT equipment.
Tidy Towns groups around the county are among those to be allocated funding under the CEP. Arklow Tidy Towns will receive €30,000 to help enhance the riverewalk and other projects, while Tidy Towns groups in Aughrim, Bray, Greystones and Wicklow will each receive €20,000. The sum of €4,250 will go to each of the Tidy Towns groups in Ashford, Avoca, Ballycoog, Blessington, Coolboy, Delgany, Donard, Dunlavin, Glenealy, Grangecon, Hollywood, Kiltegan, Knockananna, Lacken, Laragh and Glendalough, Newcastle, Newtownmountkennedy, Rathdangan, Rathdrum, Roundwood, Shillelagh, Stratford-onSlaney and Tinahely.
Other significant allocations in the county include €17,987 to the Elgin Heights Residents Association to upgrade the playground; €12,645 to the Imaal Hall Company Ltd to replace lighting and varnish floors; €10,000 to Old Coolattine Country Ltd for IT and the installation of CCTV in the playground; and €9,182 to Signal Arts Centre for equipment and to provide training.
Newcastle Community Centre has been granted €20,000 to refurbish the building and a further €1,000 for CCTV.
Another big winner is the campaign to secure a new rescue boat for the Blessington Lakes, which has been allocated €15,000.
The remaining groups throughout the county that received funding are: Aghowle Graveyard Restoration Committee (€1,000 to erect signs and keep access open and safe); Annamoe Community (€5,120 for a defibrillator, signage and picnic benches); Arklow Boxing Club (€1,000 to resurface the car park); Arklow Cat Rescue (€2,000 to fit out a covered fenced outdoor area to rear of property); Arklow Coast Guard (€1,000 for atwork for two signs): Arklow Geraldines Ballymoney GAA Club (€500 for IT equipment); Arklow Racing Pigeon Club (€1,000 to dry line and insulate interior walls); Arklow Rocks Parnells Hurling and Camogie Club (€1,000 to develop the training pitch); Arklow Sea Scouts (€1,000 to install a fire escape); Ashford Development Association Ltd (€2,000 for audio visual equipment); Aughrim Parish Pastoral Council (€1,000 for a mower, hedge trimmer and safety helmet and visor); Avoca Men’s Shed/Avoca Community Centre (€1,500 to help provide facilities for cookery lessons, woodwork training skills and improve electrical appliances); Avoca Men’s Shed/ Old Railway Building (€1,200 for wheelchair access for visitors); Ballinacor Community Project (€1,000 for a generator); Baltinglass Mens Shed (€3,949 for a door, electricity and handbasin); BAP working in conjunction with the WHAD residents groups (€1,000 for community improvements and streetscaping); BBH-Hillview Community Centre (€1,000 for equipment and costumes for dance/singing class); Bearna Chle Parents Association (€1,000 for a defibrillator); Coolkenno Sports Field Development Group (€2,250 for computer equipment); Eire Og Greystones Ladies’ Football and Camogie Club (€1,000 for security for the club premises and surrounds); Enniskerry Boxing Club (€1,000 for a desktop computer and monitor); Foroige the Way Project (€899 for a video camera); Glen of Imaal Wicklow-Irish Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team (€1,000 for training the team treasurer and deputy treasurer on SAGE50c); Greystones Men’s Shed (€1,000 to upgrade facilities with heating); Hillside Residents Association (€1,000 for a defibrillator); Kilcoole Community Development Association (€1,000 for a shed); Kirikee Upper Residents Association (€1,000 to replace/ repair fence); Kirikee Village Residents Association (€1,000 to look after green areas); Lacken Community Development Association (€1,000 for a printer, scanner and photo copier); Liscolman Graveyard Committee (€1,000 for the cleaning of headstones); Mill Road Environment association (€3,000 for a ride-on-mower); Polish Irish Educational Association (€1,000 for a computer and camera); Rathdangan Community Council (€1,000 for a coffee machine and revamp of the Village Pantry café); Rathnew Community Centre (€1,185 towards computer courses); Shillelagh Community First Responders (€1,000 for emergency equipment); St Saviours NS Parents Association (€1,000 for a sensory garden); Wicklow Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (€1,000 for a power washer and signage); Wicklow Tennis Club (€3,500 for safety padding); Wicklow Travellers Group (€3,083 for upgrades/ improvements to centre); Wildcats Foroige Club (€780 for a video camera).