Luxury self-catering accommodation at Arranmore lighthouse and new facilities for the Dunlewey Centre are among four projects allocated Government funding today, Minister Joe McHugh has announced.
The projects are being funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development through its Leader programme.
Minister McHugh says the projects included are:
· To renovate and update two Lightkeepers Dwellings at Arranmore Lighthouse to high standard to provide luxury self-catering rental accommodation – grant €34,000
· To Improve at play facilities for children at Dún Luiche Lakeside Centre. The centre has been operating as a tourism axis for 28 years and the facilities are in need of improvement- grant €48,000
· The old school in Bun an Inbhir is to be extended to build two new toilets, one is to be unisex and the second to accessable to those with disabilities – grant €12,000
· To re-roof the Mín an Aoire Centre as well as install a soundproof panel – grant €36,000.
“I want to congratulate all those hard-working community groups who do such much here in Donegal,” said Minister McHugh.
“The Leader programme is vital for our rural communities seeking to expand facilities and services for residents in their areas.
“I want to thank all community organsations for that work, particularly during the Covid-19 crisis recently.”
The Minister revealed that Donegal has the highest allocations of Leader funding of any county in the country and is amongst the highest in the country when it comes to take-up rates.
“There is an allocation of more than €10.5M for Donegal,” said McHugh.
“So far 172 projects in Donegal have been approved for funding with an allocation of €7.3M already. Another 26 projects are being assessed with an expected allocation for those different schemes of €2.2M.
“Once again I want to welcome today’s funding for Arranmore, Dún Luiche, Bun an Inbhir and Min An Aoire and I want to thank Minister Ring and all those involved in Leader projects in Donegal for their vital work.
“Comhghairdeas mór le na grúpaí uilig fríd an chontae a bhfuair maoiniú inniu fríd an Scéim Leader.
“Tá súil agam go ndéanfaidh an infheistíocht seo difear mór do na grúpaí seo agus iad ag cur a gceantracha chun cinn agus a gcuid áiseanna ar fáil ar mhaitheas muintir na gceantracha seo agus do thurasóirí chomh maith. Guím gach rath orthu uilig amach anseo.”
