More than €113,000 is to be given to 12 Donegal Gaeltacht groups, Minister Joe McHugh has said.
The Donegal TD has welcomed funding approved by Údarás na Gaeltachta under the LEADER Programme.
“I want to welcome these grants for important work for sporting, community and recreational groups in Donegal Gaeltacht areas,” said Minister McHugh.
“The funding will help the work of small businesses too and represent a valuable contribution to the way of life in the Gaeltacht.
“I want to thank everyone at Údarás na Gaeltachta for bringing these first projects to approval stage and I know they are working on even more for 2018.”
This series of grants has been approved for groups and individuals where up to 75% of the project costs are granted under LEADER funding. When the local contribution is taken into account the investment will total €154,726 and most projects consist of upgrading of public amenities and sports and recreational amenities.
These are the first projects that have reached the approval stage. Údarás na Gaeltachta hope to be in a position to bring other projects that are in the pipeline, for which considerable investment is being discussed, to fruition early next year.
Údarás na Gaeltachta is one of four partnerships in Donegal’s Local Community Development Committee that are responsible for the Local Action Group which administers and animates the LEADER programme in Donegal’s Gaeltacht (apart from the Gaeltacht islands which are overseen by Comhar na nOileán).
Údarás na Gaeltachta’s chief-executive, Micheál Ó hÉanaigh, said that the Gaeltacht community has expressed a lot of interest in the LEADER programme to date and that he hopes Gaeltacht projects will flourish during the programme.
“It gives us great satisfaction to be able to announce this funding through the LEADER programme for communities in the Donegal Gaeltacht.
“This funding will help to improve the amenities and opportunities available in our Gaeltacht communities with the aim of improving the living standards of the community throughout and especially for the younger generation. We are happy to work hand in hand with the Local Action Group in conjunction with Donegal County Council to implement the LEADER programme.”
LEADER is a funding initiative open to all, from community and voluntary groups to private individuals, private and community projects, and small and medium enterprises. LEADER can offer grant aid and support to projects aiming to promote the quality of life and economic opportunities in the Donegal Gaeltacht within the framework of the approved Local Development Strategy. Additional information can be found as well as expression of interest form can be found at www.udaras.ie.
Here is a list of projects who received funding based on the terms of the Programme:
Organisation
LEADER funding
Project
Club Gleacaíochta Ghaoth Dobhair
€8,200
Gymnastic equipment
Áislann Chill Chartha CTR
€5,084
Installation of a sound system in a sports hall
Buíon Ceoil Crickamore
€3,620
Musical instruments/uniforms
Comhlacht Forbartha an Tearmainn CTR
€8,114
Computer & Broadband Equipment
Forbairt Dhún Lúiche
€10,000
Refurbishment of the floor in a community centre
Coiste Forbartha Dhobhair CTR
€14,045
Refurbishment of the floor in a community centre
Shaun Friel
€16,790
Feasibility Study
Coiste Halla Naomh Bríde
€14,681
New kitchen
Machaire le Cheile CLG
€11,606
Play equipment
Guth na Rosann CTR
€4,205
Broadcast equipment (Local radio)
Coiste Cairde Bhun an Inbhir
€14,258
Renovation of Bun an Inbhir college
Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair Teo.
€2,673
New kitchen & chairs
Total
€113,276
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