Laois GAA champs get biggest slice Community Activities Fund in 131 recipient list
Find out who got what?
Laois GAA Senior Football Champions Portarlington GAA is getting the biggest slice of funding under a scheme aimed at providing small grants to help the smaller community groups and facilities that support communities at a grassroots level.
The 2021 Community Activities Fund was launched in November 2021 with funding of €9 million available. A total of 131 Laois clubs and associations ahve received an allocation of € 273,048 from the Department under the fund which is administered locally.
Sports clubs are among the biggest recipients in Laois.
Portarlington GAA club is getting €8,536 while the Abbeyleix AFC soccer club is getting €8,000. The Mountmellick Gymnastics Club is another big recipient getting €7,113.
One of the biggest non-sporting recipients is the Portlaoise College Parents Association which is getting €7,500 for equipment.
The Community Activities 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.
A statement said the key theme of the fund is to support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, announced the successful projects in Laois on Friday, May 13.
Announcing the successful projects for Laois today, Minister Humphreys said:
“I am delighted to announce almost €274,000 in funding for 131 local projects across Co Laois today as part of my Department’s Community Activities 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, which have continued to serve their community during COVID-19. 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:
“As we make our way out of the pandemic I hope this funding will allow these community groups to continue their great work. This funding also builds on the over 8,000 projects already supported under my Department’s Community Enhancement Programme over the last number of years. I would like to thank Laois County Council and Local Community Development Committee for their assistance in administering this fund.”
Also announcing the successful projects today, Minister O’Brien said:
“The Community Activities 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 groups and we were especially conscious of the impact of COVID-19 that many groups would need supports to help them get back up and running fully. I want to congratulate the successful projects and to thank them for the vital work they do in providing services in their local communities. ”