Louth County Council to get €195K to support community groups

Louth County Council is to receive a total of €195,412.48 in capital funding under the Department of Rural and Community Development Local Enhancement Programme 2024.

It is part of a new €6 million capital fund to assist thousands of community groups across the country.

This funding is aimed at providing capital supports essential for small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas in rural and urban areas, with 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.

€32,568.75 of the total funding has been reserved for Women’s Groups. Making the announcement today, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, said €1 million out of the €6 million fund was going to Women's Groups "in recognition of the fact that there is a growing number of Women’s Sheds, Groups and Networks across the country."

She added, "so my message today is if you are part of a Women’s Group, please get in touch with your Local Community Development Committee in your area and apply for this funding.”

Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, said that the today's funding "will provide really practical support to smaller community groups that are active at a grassroots level to help them to ensure they have the facilities and equipment they need to support their communities.

"These grants will help thousands of community organisations, clubs, men’s and women’s sheds, youth centres and parish halls, to improve their facilities and continue to facilitate the provision of their valuable services to the people in their areas.”

He 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”.