Ministers announce over €280,000 in funding for 188 local projects in Offaly
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys and Minister of for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, have today announced the successful projects in Offaly under the 2022 Community Support Fund.
A whopping 188 local projects have received €283,843 in funding.
Following the news of the funding, Minister Pippa Hackett said:
“Announced as once off funding in November of last year the Community Support Fund was open to Offaly voluntary organisations to apply during February. I worked hard to ensure that all relevant groups in the county were aware of the fund and I am delighted to see that 188 applications have been successfully awarded amounts from €115 to €3,022. All of these organisations make a difference for those they serve, from Accessible Counselling Tullamore (ACT) (€3,000) and Birr 20:20 Vision (€1,500) to Erry Pitch and Putt Club (€2,500)."
"It is vital that government helps them to keep the lights on and the show on the road and I believe that this fund, totalling a boost of €283,843 across Offaly will help in small but significant ways across nearly every town and village in the county. By way of example, Shinrone’s community, across the Heritage Club, Tidy Towns, Camogie Club and Parish Committee, receive funding of €4,457. This is a testament to voluntary effort in our towns and villages. My thanks to Offaly Local Community Development Committee for the administration of this scheme.”
Announcing the successful projects for Co. Offaly today, Minister Humphreys said:
“I am delighted to announce almost €284,000 in funding for 188 local projects across County Offaly today as part of my Department’s Community Support Fund.
“Through ‘Our Rural Future’, I want to support locally led, ground-up projects in local communities across the country. This funding is all about giving a helping hand to our local groups and clubs with their energy costs, whether it’s the electricity bill, insurance costs or other overheads.
“While these grants are small in nature, they can make a big difference by allowing local community organisations to carry out much needed works in their area.”
Minister Humphreys added:
“I fully appreciate the fantastic work carried out by volunteers in communities across the country whether it’s the local Parish Hall Committee, the Development Association or the local Senior Citizens Group. These local committees work hard to make sure they can keep the lights on and run fantastic local services and events for young and old to enjoy.
“I would like to thank Offaly County Council and Local Community Development Committee for their assistance in administering this fund.”
Also announcing the successful projects today, Minister Joe O’Brien stated:
“The Community Support Fund provides a range of invaluable small grants to help the smaller community groups and facilities that support communities at a grassroots level.
“I know that this funding is an important tool in helping these important groups and we were especially conscious that with the impact of current energy costs many groups would need additional supports to help them to continue to provide their valuable services to the people in their areas. I want to congratulate the successful projects and to thank them for the vital work they do in providing services in their local communities.”
The 2022 Community Support Fund was launched in November 2022 with funding of €10 million available. €100,000 of this funding was ring-fenced specifically to support Women’s Sheds. The key theme of the fund is to support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their energy bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities.
The Community Support Fund is a once off fund provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development and administered by Local Community Development Committees, with support from the Local Authority, in each area.