Over €100k in funding announced for Offaly community group vehicles
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Friday, September 13) announced funding of €102,275 for Offaly-based groups who provide meals on wheels services and search and rescue organisations.
Overall, Minister Humphreys announced €2,100,768 under Measure 2 of the CLÁR Programme, supporting the purchase of a record 48 vehicles in rural communities.
The Offaly projects being supported are: Offaly Search and Recovery, €38,400 for a diesel Jeep to transport a crew of divers, their dive equipment and tow a rib on Search and Recovery call-outs; Kilcormac Meals on Wheels, €30,125 for an electric vehicle to support with their meals on wheels’ service; and Offaly Healthy Homes - €33,750 for a vehicle to support with their meals on wheels’ service.
“Over €2 million has been allocated to projects across the country today for electric vehicles under the Clár Programme, and I’m delighted to support three local groups here in Offaly with over €100,000 in funding. The county has made great progress in recent years and it’s great to see that progress and development firsthand”, stated Minister Humphreys.
On the announcement of the funding for Offaly groups, Councillor John Clendennen said, “I want to acknowledge Minister Humphreys for her ongoing support for Offaly, with over €50 million allocated for rural development projects across the county in the past five years, there has been a real and material difference made right across the county.”
“This is important funding for three vital services in the local community and I’m delighted to see Minister Humphreys visiting Offaly here today and taking the time to visit some local projects and meet with community groups”, concluded Cllr Hughie Egan.
Announcing the successful projects, Minister Humphreys said: “Each of the recipients of funding today plays a vital role in providing essential services to those who are most in need in our communities, be it from a mobility aspect or through the provision of meals on wheels services.
“The supports provided by our First Responders and our Search and Rescue teams are of immense importance and I am delighted to be in a position to support these very worthy community groups today. We owe a great deal to these organisations and to all the individuals who volunteer with them.”
The minister continued: “This year I have approved the purchase of 48 vehicles for organisations right across the country under Measure 2 of the CLÁR programme.
“This is the highest number of vehicles ever funded through the programme and the announcement today brings the number of vehicles delivered under this measure to over 200 since it was introduced in 2018, with associated funding of over €10 million.”
The 2024 CLÁR Programme was launched on April 12 and included the following measures: Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities; Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, Meals on Wheels and Community First Responders Transport; and Measure 3: Our Islands
Details of the successful projects under Measure 2 can also be found here.
Successful applications under Measures 1 and 3 of CLÁR 2023 will be announced at a later date.