gov.ie - Over 3,000 projects in disadvantaged communities supported through Community Enhancement Programme

The Community Enhancement Programme provides small grants to enhance facilities in communities throughout country

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Mr Michael Ring TD, has today confirmed that 3,000 projects have been allocated funding under his Department’s

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(CEP). Minister Ring allocated €12.5 million under the Programme in 2018 and is today announcing the details of the more than 3,000 projects which have received support through this funding.

CEP provides capital grants to community groups and is targeted towards enhancing facilities in disadvantaged communities. It supports a range of investment in all areas of communities, such as childcare groups, playgrounds, recreational groups, sports grounds, landscaping, and supporting the elderly.

Examples of projects supported include:

€11,000 for BallymunChild and Family Resource Centre to upgrade garden and children’s play area
€5,000 for Cork City Community First Responders to purchase defibrillators
€2,000 to repair roof of Men’s Shed in Southill, Limerick
€7,500 to resurface car park in ClonguishGAA Club, Co Longford

Speaking today, Minister Ring said:

“Having allocated over €12.5 million under the Community Enhancement Programme in 2018, I am delighted to be able to announce the more than 3,000 projects which are set to benefit from it.

“A relatively small amount of money can go a long way and this investment will greatly benefit local community projects throughout the country.

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

“The Programme has also supported energy efficient upgrades, developing community gardens, provision of defibrillators, CCTV, and sports and IT equipment.

“The funding has been allocated in a way that means 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.

The full list projects supported can be found at the following link: CEP Project approvals

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

The CEP is targeted towards enhancing facilities in disadvantaged communities. It provides capital grants to community groups.
The CEP replaced the re-cast RAPID programme and Communities Facilities Scheme (CFS) which were launched in 2017 and funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
The development of the CEP follows on from a review of the CFS and re-cast RAPID, a process which involved consultation with the LCDC in each area.
The CEP is the result of the first significant exercise in the streamlining of schemes and programmes carried out by the Department. Its development follows recommendations arising on foot of an assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of existing funding schemes (the CFS and re-cast RAPID), which included consultation with the 33 Local Community Development Committees across the country.
The application process is administered by LCDCs in each area. There was an open application process when the CEP was originally launched in May.
The funding was allocated to each LCDC by providing a baseline amount to each area and allocating the remainder based on the relative population and disadvantage level in each area.

Over 3,000 projects in disadvantaged communities supported through Community Enhancement Programme – Minister Ring

Notes to Editor:

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