Over €128,000 allocated to 79 Longford projects under the Local Enhancement Programme 2024
Additional funding for 13 women's groups
Press Release: Monday, 29 July 2024
Longford County Council is delighted to confirm that funding of over €112,700 (€112,762.52) will go towards 66 local projects under the Local Enhancement Programme 2024, as announced by
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys. Additional funding, over €15,300 (€15,360.79) was allocated to 13 women’s groups in County Longford.
Ardagh Girl Guides (with funding of €464.65), Granard Active Age (with funding of €659.13), Irish Wheelchair Association (with funding of €2972.00), Longford Town Men’s Shed (with funding of
€2000.00) are some of the local groups that have benefited from the total funding.
The Local Enhancement Programme 2024 was launched by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD in May 2024. Funding of €6 million was available nationally, with €1 million ring-fenced to support women’s groups.
The funding will support many small community groups and organisations, particularly in disadvantaged areas. It will focus on small capital works and improvements and the purchase of
equipment for community use. The funding may be used to improve access for persons with a disability, enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups and improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs.
The Local Enhancement Programme 2024 is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development. In County Longford, it is administered by Longford Local Community Development
Committees (LCDC), with support from Longford County Council.
Announcing the successful projects for Longford, Minister Humphreys said, “The Local Enhancement Programme is about giving a helping hand to our local groups and clubs, who are the building blocks of Irish community life. I want to congratulate the successful applicants and to thank them for the vital work they do in providing services in their local communities. These grants will help thousands of community organisations, clubs, men’s and women’s sheds, youth centres and parish halls, to continue to provide their valuable services to the people in their areas.
Minister Humphreys added, “Supporting local communities to shape their future is a key focus of the Government’s rural development policy, ‘Our Rural Future’. The funding I am announcing today will ensure that important work can continue to be delivered by communities on the ground and I’m delighted that every single county will benefit. I would like to thank Longford County Council and Local Community Development Committee for their assistance in administering this fund.”
Also announcing the successful projects, Minister Joe O’Brien said, “The Local Enhancement Programme 2024 provides vital support to community groups to help them improve their facilities. It supports small-scale funding for projects which range from purchasing IT equipment to minor renovations to buildings. Ultimately the Programme responds to local needs. These investments allow community groups to carry out the invaluable work they do on behalf of others in local areas throughout the country. The impact of the Local Enhancement Programme is considerable.”
On the announcement of the successful projects, Longford LCDC Chairperson Cllr Seamus Butler said, “On behalf of Longford LCDC, I welcome the Department’s announcement of Local Enhancement Programme funding of over €112,000 for 66 local projects. I also welcome the additional funding of over €15,300 to 13 women’s groups. This funding will be used by community groups and local organisations for the benefit of people and communities right across County Longford. We wish all applicants every success delivering their projects.”
Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon added, “Longford County Council welcomes this announcement of significant funding. We commend the time and effort our community groups invested in their applications. Their projects will greatly enhance existing facilities, as well as developing new, accessible community recreation amenities.”
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