Minister Joe McHugh has today announced that €159,461 has been secured in grant funding for disadvantaged communities in Donegal. Donegal is to receive the fourth highest grant allocation in the country under redesigned Community Enhancement Programme.
The Community Enhancement Programme, run by the Department of Rural and Community and Development, will focus its work on improving facilities such as community centres and amenities, town parks and common areas and spaces, CCTV and energy efficiency projects.
Mr McHugh, Minister for the Irish language, Gaeltacht and the Islands, said: “This money is specifically targeted to try and build communities by giving them pride in their place.
“I want to thank Minister for Rural and Community and Development Michael Ring for recognising the great need for funding like this in Co Donegal.
“Some of the cash will go to small projects which at their heart are about making communities more sociable and welcoming. We could be talking about things like new lights, gardening equipment or maybe supplying computers and internet access.
“The allocations have been based on assessed need and population and Donegal has secured the fourth highest payment in the country – that is a clear mark of the dedication of this Fine Gael Government to improving the lives of people in the county.”
The Community Enhancement Programme builds on and replaces the Communities Facilities Scheme and the RAPID programme that were launched last year by the Department of Rural and Community and Development.
A total of €4.5million of grant funding will be available through the scheme to local authorities this year.
Mr McHugh added: “I urge communities to look hard at how small changes in their local area could benefit the lives of the people living there.”
Applications for funding can be made to the relevant Local Community Development Committees. The closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00pm on Monday, 30th July 2018.
