PRESS RELEASE – €162,599.36 AWARDED UNDER OFFALY LOCAL ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME 2024
LOCAL ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME 2024
22nd May 2024
- Ministers announce successful projects under Local Enhancement Programme 2024
- Small grants to benefit community groups across Offaly
- Supporting community groups a key focus of ‘Our Rural Future’
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, have today announced the successful projects in Co. Offaly under the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2024.
The Local Enhancement Programme 2024 was launched in December 2023 with funding of €6 million available, which included €1 million in funding ring-fenced specifically to support Women’s Groups. The funding will provide capital supports essential for the many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas in rural and urban areas.
The Department of Rural and Community Development’s Local Enhancement Programme 2024 is administered by Local Community Development Committees, with support from the Local Authority, in each area.
Announcing the successful projects for Co. Offaly, 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. I want to congratulate the successful applicants and to thank them for the vital work they do in providing services in their local communities. These 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 Humphreys added: “Supporting local communities to shape their future is a key focus of the Government’s rural development policy, ‘Our Rural Future’. The funding I am announcing today will ensure that important work can continue to be delivered by communities on the ground and I’m delighted that every single county will benefit. I would like to thank Offaly County Council and the Offaly Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) for their assistance in administering this fund.” Also announcing the successful projects today, Minister Joe O’Brien said: “The Local Enhancement Programme 2024 provides vital support to community groups in order to help them improve their facilities. It supports small-scale funding for projects which range from purchasing IT equipment to minor renovations to buildings. Ultimately the Programme responds to local needs. These investments allow community groups to carry out the invaluable work they do on behalf of others in local areas throughout the country. The impact of the Local Enhancement Programme is considerable.”
Note:
• Local Enhancement Programme 2024 is targeted towards enhancing facilities in disadvantaged communities. It provides small grants to community groups in a manner consistent with each area’s Local Economic and Community Plan.
• The Local Enhancement Programme was launched in December 2023. The fund replaces the Department’s Community Enhancement Programme.
• The funding is administered locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their Local Authority. Contact details for LCDCs are available here.
• List of county allocations are available here.
Offaly County Council was allocated €127,369.50 General Fund for Community Groups This is capital funding for the Local Enhancement Programme to use towards carrying out necessary repairs and improvements to facilities, energy efficiency type projects, purchase of equipment, community playgrounds, etc.
List of the successful projects (General Fund for Community Groups) in Co. Offaly is available here Offaly LEP Press Release 2024
5th June 2024
Ministers Humphreys announces funding for almost 500 Women’s Groups nationwide
- Funding to benefit Women’s Sheds, Sports Clubs, ICA Groups, Toddler Groups, Girls Guides and much more
- Small grants to assist groups in every county with their capital costs
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced funding to support almost 500 Women’s Groups nationwide. Under the initiative, small grants are being provided to assist groups in every single county to enhance/improve their facilities and to purchase equipment. The groups that are receiving funding include Women’s and Hen’s Sheds, Camogie and GAA Clubs, ICA Groups, Toddler Groups, Girl Guides and more. Minister Humphreys made the announcement during a visit to the Trim Women’s Shed in County Meath.
Speaking in Trim, Minister Humphreys said: “I am delighted to announce the successful projects today for Women’s Sheds, Groups and Networks throughout the country. These groups are working tirelessly within communities to provide both young and old with an outlet to socialise, upskill, relax and so much more. I am constantly amazed by the work, community spirit and ethos of the many, many groups that give so much of their time to enhance and improve their communities. I want you to know that I see what you do and I hope that through these grants my Department can help.” Minister Humphreys added: “The grants today may be small in value but to the successful groups they are invaluable – they can open up so many possibilities for so many people. I will continue to engage with the communities of Ireland to see how my Department can continue to support you going forward. I would encourage all groups out there to check out [external-link https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-rural-and-community-development/?referrer=https://www.gov.ie/drcd/ | www.gov.ie/drcd ] and see if you too can benefit from some of my Department’s programmes.”
The funding is being delivered as part of The Local Enhancement Programme 2024. This programme allocated €6 million in capital supports for community groups and organisations around Ireland, with funding of €1 million being ring-fenced for women’s groups. Information garnered from distributing these supports will help the Department to get a better idea of the spread of Women’s Sheds, Groups and Networks across the country. This will inform the Department on how to best support these groups in the future. This funding adds to the €100,000 which was ring-fenced for Women’s Sheds under the Community Enhancement Programme 2022.
Offaly County Council was allocated €27,099.89 for Women’s Groups The ring-fenced funding for Women’s Groups is capital in nature for community projects and groups that support the ethos of women’s sheds and other such groups or projects aimed at providing social networks for women.
List of Women’s Groups announced for Offaly is available HERE
Full press release from the Department in relation to women’s groups receiving funding nationwide is available here
Queries can be emailed to community@offalycoco.ie or by phoning 05793 46800.