€191,000 capital funding for small community groups and organisations in Waterford.

Green Party TD for Waterford Marc Ó Cathasaigh welcomes €191,000 capital funding for small community groups and organisations in Waterford.

Green Party TD for Waterford Marc Ó Cathasaigh welcomes €191,000 capital funding for small community groups and organisations in Waterford. The funding which was announced today by Minister Joe O’Brien and Minister Heather Humphreys is part of a national package of €6 million which will particularly benefit the smaller organisations which serve disadvantaged communities in rural and urban areas. Waterford will receive a total of €190.945 with €31,824 of it ringfenced for Women’s Groups.
Welcoming the announcement, Deputy Ó Cathasaigh said:
“This funding is intended to provide practical support to smaller community groups working at a local level, ensuring they have the essential facilities and equipment to effectively serve their communities. The grants are designed to assist a variety of community organisations, clubs, men’s and women’s sheds, youth centres and parish halls with the aim of helping them to improve their facilities so they can continue to provide valuable services within their communities”
There will be a particular focus on small capital works/improvements, and the purchase of equipment for community use. The funding may be used, but is not limited to; improved 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 scheme is designed to ensure local priorities are identified and met, so as to improve and enhance community facilities for all.
Minister Joe O’Brien added:
“I am particularly happy to have reserved funding for Women’s Sheds, groups and networks. Many of these groups are providing essential services on a day to day basis to those most in need. I hope this funding will help to support the provision of safe warm spaces for those groups to continue to meet and support their communities in both rural and urban areas right across the country.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
• The funding has been allocated by providing a baseline amount to each area and allocating the remainder based on the population and disadvantage level in each local authority area.
• The funding is administered on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their Local Authority. Applications for funding can be made to the relevant LCDC. Contact details for LCDCs are available here.