€28,975 in funding for water quality projects in Offaly

Two water quality projects in Offaly are to benefit from over €28,000 in funding from the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO).

The two Offaly grant recipients are: Clara Tidy Towns, which received a grant of €13,975 for the creation of a rainwater garden at River Street in the town centre, and Rahan Community Hall which received a grant of €15,000 towards flood alleviation measures in the Hall car park and on the road outside the building, and for the creation of a rain garden and bio retention area.

The funding for Offaly is part of an overall allocation totalling €1,047,265.26 awarded across 54 projects in 24 counties under the ‘Community Water Development Fund Open Call 2025’.

Under the fund local communities and groups were invited to apply for financial assistance to support the delivery of projects and initiatives to enhance local water bodies and benefit water quality and biodiversity.

Since 2018, on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, LAWPRO has made over €3.7m available through this funding scheme to communities, assisting in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive through Ireland’s Water Action Plan.

As well as the Community Water Development Fund, LAWPRO also supports community groups and organisations through its Catchment Support Fund and Small Grants and Events Scheme.

Launched in 2024, the Catchment Support Fund awarded €500,000 last year towards the core running costs of non-governmental organisations working in the area of water quality. Whereas the Small Grants and Events Scheme allows community groups to apply for funding to cover small scale initiatives and events related to water quality.