Local Community Development Committee continues to benefit communities in Offaly
The collaboration and successful delivery of numerous supports, services and programmes throughout Offaly was the essence of the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) annual report which was delivered to elected members at the recent meeting of the County Council.
Addressing the members, Lourda Giles, LCDC Chief Officer, said the year was characterised by the development and adoption of the Local Economic and Community Plan 2024-2029 for Offaly and the implementation and administration of funding allocations in respect of the Community Recognition Fund and Local Enhancement Programme.
"A wide range of inclusive measures were delivered to increase and sustain participation in sport in the county and a varied programme of actions delivered under Healthy Offaly. The new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024-2028 commenced last year and provides funding to tackle poverty and social inclusion at a local level," Ms Giles said.
The annual report noted that in 2024 Offaly Sports Partnership secured almost €640,000 in funding to increase and sustain participation in sport in the county, while 26 projects, amounting to €669,691, approved under the Community Recognition Fund 2023, were completed in 2024. Approval and implementation to the sum of €702,000 was allocated to 11 projects under 'Window 1' of the Community Recognition Fund 2024.
Welcoming the report, LCDC chairperson, Cllr John Leahy, noted that a "huge body of work" had been completed by the key stakeholders, adding that the committee worked with funding solely allocated by the Government.
"This money supports numerous projects throughout our county and it is great to be in a position to allocated such funding for their benefit," Cllr Leahy said.
Cllr Peter Ormond said the the work of the LCDC was "understated" with much work completed in 2024, particularly in disadvantaged locations.
"There has been a commendable LCDC spend on projects throughout the county in 2024 and for this the stakeholders must be thanked," Cllr Ormond said.