From Department of Rural and Community Development
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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 Laois under the 2021 Community Enhancement Programme.
The 2021 Community Enhancement Programme was launched in May 2021 with funding of €4.5m to provide small grants to local community groups across the country. Laois received an allocation of €136,524 from the Department under the programme. The key theme of this year’s programme was supporting groups as they re-open facilities which have been closed due to COVID-19. These could include facilities such as community centres, men’s and women’s sheds, parish halls and youth centres.
The Community Enhancement Programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and administered by Local Community Development Committees, with support from their Local Authority, in each area.
Announcing the successful projects for Laois today, Minister Humphreys said:
"I am delighted to announce funding for 68 local projects across County Laois today as part of my Department’s Community Enhancement Programme.”
“Through Our Rural Future, I want to support locally led, ground-up projects in local communities across the country. While these grants are small in nature, they can make a big difference by allowing local community organisations to carry out much needed works in their area.”
“I want to thank the Local Community Development Committee, and the Local Authority in Laois who administer the Community Enhancement Programme on behalf of my Department.”
Also announcing the successful projects today, Minister O’Brien said:
“The Community Enhancement Programme provides a range of invaluable small grants to help the smaller community groups and facilities that support communities at a grassroots level."
"I know that this funding is an important tool in helping these groups and we were especially conscious this year given the impact of COVID-19 that many groups would need supports to help them reopen and get back up and running fully. I want to congratulate the successful projects and to thank them for the vital work they do in providing services in their local communities. ”