Over €400k in grants to community

OVER €400,000 has been provided to disadvantaged communities in rural and urban areas in County Louth through the Community Enhancement Programme, supporting 69 projects.

Local TD Fergus O’Dowd welcomed the funding, saying it was great to see the wide variety of local projects supported under the initiative.

“Fine Gael is committed to ensuring that rural Ireland is given the support it needs, so that it can achieve its full potential across a wide-range of areas.”

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring said: “Having allocated over €12.5 million under the Community Enhancement Programme in 2018, I am delighted to be able to announce the more than 3,000 projects which are set to benefit from it.

“A relatively small amount of money can go a long way and this investment will greatly benefit local community projects throughout the country.

“The funding has been allocated in a way that takes deprivation levels into account and I am confident that those communities who need it most, whether in cities, towns or rural areas, will benefit.”

Groups and projects received funding in amounts from €500 to almost €18,000 including Drogheda and District Support 4 Older People who got €12,740 for internal lobby area to exclude drafts, electric radiators and desk screen divide,

Drogheda Homeless Aid, €11,317 for flooring and kitchen deep clean, Drogheda Special Olympics Club €17,907 for Sports Equipment and refurbishment of Main Hall Epilepsy Ireland, plus training course for two resource workers,

€14,557 for Moneymore Community House for kitchen equipment, lawnmower, soffits and fascias and The Louth Age Friendly County Initiative Ltd was granted €9,988 for IT Equipment, with The Red Door Project putting €8,630 towards a new alarm system, CCTV System and laptops.

Bettystown Tidy Towns will also be able to erect new signs thanks to a €1,600 grant.