€702,000 Awarded in Offaly under Community Recognition Fund 2024

Offaly County Council is delighted to announce the approval of funding totalling €702,000 as approved by its Local and Community Development Committee (LCDC) on Thursday 11^th July 2024. The funding was awarded to 11 community groups under the Community Recognition Fund 2024 (Grant Announcement for Window 1).

The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects in support cities, towns, and villages nationwide. Based on the continued impacts on communities throughout the country and the need to support these communities in welcoming new arrivals, a further €50 million is being provided under the Community Recognition Fund 2024.  The Community Recognition Fund 2024 was launched on 15^th March 2024, of this fund, €1,055,308 is allocated to County Offaly. 

The Fund aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in Offaly in recognition of the contribution being made by communities in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.

The funding is specifically targeted at projects that are in communities, towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants (‘new arrivals’) including towns identified for the rapid build homes programme. The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community.

In Offaly, there were eleven areas (at the time of application) identified as having significant numbers of Ukrainians and other new arrivals.  The towns were as follows: Tullamore, Portarlington, Birr, Banagher, Kilcormac, Moneygall, Daingean, Edenderry, Geashill, Shannonbridge and Dunkerrin.

There was a tremendous response to the Programme, with 31 applicants seeking funding. 

Cathaoirleach of Offaly LCDC, Councillor John Leahy, warmly welcomed the funding. He said “These grants will be of enormous benefit to a whole range of community groups across the county.”

Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, Anna Marie Delaney also welcomed funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development paid thanks to Offaly LCDC, acknowledging “their work in developing, co-ordinating and implementing a coherent and integrated approach to local and community development.”  Ms Delaney further added this funding will “support a diverse range of projects and benefit communities across Offaly”.

The Community Recognition Fund (CRF) is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development.  

The list of the successful groups in receipt of grants awarded under the Community Recognition Fund 2024 (Grant Announcement for Window 1) for County Offaly are: