Funding of €8 million for disadvantaged communities under Community Enhancement Programme

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, has announced additional funding of €8 million for the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) which supports disadvantaged communities throughout the country by providing capital grants to community groups. 

The CEP provides a flexible and targeted approach to funding those communities most in need, while reducing the level of administration involved. 

Today’s allocation follows on from an initial allocation of €4.5 million under the fund in May of this year.

Minister Ring said: “The Community Enhancement Programme supports a range of investment in all areas of communities, such as childcare groups, playgrounds, recreational groups, sports grounds, landscaping, and the elderly.

“Typical enhancements under the programme could include the renovation of community centres and community amenities; improvements to town parks, common areas and spaces; and the purchase of equipment which is used to benefit the community.

“The additional funding has been allocated in a way that takes deprivation levels into account and I am confident that those communities who need it most, whether in cities, towns or rural areas, will benefit.”

The application process for the CEP is administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each local authority area.

There was an open application process when the CEP was originally launched in May, and this additional funding will be used to fund applications that were made under the original call, but which were not funded or not fully funded.

Minister Ring said: “Based on the extremely positive response to the Community Enhancement Programme funding announced earlier in the year and the evidence that more worthwhile initiatives could benefit from support, I have decided to allocate a further €8 million under the Community Enhancement Programme.”

€500,000 was also provided to support the work of Men’s Sheds through the Community Enhancement Programme. 

Today’s announcement brings to €13 million the funding provided to community groups through the Programme this year alone. 

Local Authority/Original allocation (May 2018)/ Additional allocation (Sept 2018)/ Total amount

Westmeath    €136,571    €148,104    €284,675

Cavan    €134,757    €124,891    €259,648

Longford    €132,385    €94,525    €226,909

Meath    €142,893    €229,030    €371,923

Offaly    €138,550    €173,446    €311,997