Mullingar Bridge and Amenity Centre is one of the entities to have received funding.

Fund boost for 174 groups across Westmeath

LISTS OF FUNDING ALLOCATED LISTED BELOW

Published: Fri 24 May 2024, 10:16 AM

Last updated: Fri 24 May 2024, 10:17 AM

Some 170 local projects in Westmeath are to benefit from a pot of €131,250 announced for the county last week under the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2024.

In total, 174 allocations were announced for Westmeath by 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.

LEP 2024 is administered by Local Community Development Committees, with support from the local authority, in each area.

Announcing the successful projects Minister Humphreys said: “The Local Enhancement Programme is about giving a helping hand to our local groups and clubs, who are the building blocks of Irish community life.”

She said the grants will help thousands of community organisations, clubs, Men’s and Women’s Sheds, youth centres and parish halls, to continue to provide their valuable services to the people in their areas.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke TD welcomed the allocations: “I’m delighted that there has been a fantastic allocation to Westmeath and well done to the clubs, societies and residents groups who make such a contribution to our communities and are the corner stones of our localities,” Minister Burke told the Westmeath Examiner.

The LEP, launched in December 2023, replaces the department’s Community Enhancement Programme, Minister Burke said, explaining that it is targeted towards enhancing facilities in disadvantaged communities by providing small grants to community groups in a manner consistent with each area’s Local Economic and Community Plan.

Continuing, he said the net had been cast far and wide, and thus benefited a wide range of groups. “The message is clear – organise your group, put your funding plan in place and Fine Gael will back you,” he said.

“These clubs and societies are the real heart of our communities and it is great to acknowledge their efforts and commitment that these groups put into their localities. Our communities are stronger as a result of their efforts.”