Almost 40 organisations in Westmeath and Meath to share €360,000 EirGrid pot

Some 37 organisations along the route of EirGrid’s Mullingar – Kinnegad 110 kv project have been selected to receive grants from the company’s first community fund.

EirGrid announced the list of projects earlier today, Tuesday.

Applications were invited earlier this year for the funding, which were evaluated by the Community Foundation for Ireland, a not-for-profit community organisation that managed applications for between €10,000 and €50,000; and Westmeath County Council, which managed the applications for up to €10,000.  Westmeath County Council also acted on behalf of Meath County Council, as 2km of the route is in Meath.

This is the first fund of its kind to be put in place by EirGrid, the state electricity transmission system operator.

The project is a 24 km 110 kV transmission line running between Mullingar, County Westmeath and Killaskillen, County Meath.

Among the successful applicants was Temporary Emergency Accommodation Midlands (Team), which received a grant of €45,000 towards the construction of a fully-serviced children’s facility at its premises in Mullingar.

Team provide services to women and children that are homeless across Westmeath, Offaly, Laois and Longford. Families sometimes stay for up to a year and there is no dedicated space for children. The facility will be a space for mothers to connect and play undisturbed with their children and will include a playroom, homework room, games and meeting room.

Other successful applicants include Lake County Beekeepers, Mullingar Jets Swimming Club, Mullingar Men’s Shed Forest Park, and Milltownpass Social Morning Group for Active Elderly.

EirGrid will host an event in Mullingar attended by the successful applicants next week.