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Joy after years of work see 10 new FRCs join national programme
However, it is about more than funding: as one successful group remarked – “It’s about hope, inclusion, and a stronger future for our town.” The announcement – by the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley – brings to 136 the number of Family Resource Centres (FRCs) across the country. The ten new groups chosen for admission come from counties Mayo, Donegal, Leitrim, Kerry, Tipperary, Limerick, Wexford, Louth, Longford and Dublin.
Banks bound by regulations, while Department and Pobal not alerted to issues
Two of the country’s main banks said that making things simpler for smaller groups to open accounts is not something that is within their gift. Meanwhile, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht said it had not had any complaints about difficulties, while Pobal said it didn’t know of any issues around opening accounts. A spokesperson for AIB said that it must comply with all regulations, while it said it does try to provide assistance.
Tipperary early school leaver breaks into niche work with horses and children with special needs
Speaking about her journey to Changing Ireland, to community workers, and recently to a government minister, Catherine said that after leaving school early, she began learning about horses. “When I was 16 I got the chance to go to work for Pat Flynn, the racehorse trainer.
RTÉ hit the multi-annual funding jackpot, so why can't we?
In her speech at The Wheel’s Summit in Croke Park, Dublin, on May 28, Elaine Teague, CEO of the Disability Federation of Ireland, focused on four words beginning with the letter ‘c’. “Let us communicate in a language people can understand,” she began. “Language that my parents, family and the media can understand.” She urged organisations to speak about rights, dignity and inclusion as these things everyone understands. “Let’s celebrate our successes,” she said.
Minister Calleary promises support to “forgotten” area in Limerick city
The Limerick city community of Ballinacurra Weston was “forgotten” in the past by the state, said Dara Calleary, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, when he visited the area today. While he could not undo the past, he said the community had the government’s support today. Recently, feuding in the area between criminals has seen people suffer injuries and put Limerick back under a national spotlight.
2 days left to sign crucial petition supporting LEADER
You can sign the petition here: https://elard.eu/petition_en/ Shauna McClenaghan, joint CEO with Inishowen Development Partnership, urged people to sign up. “At a time when rural areas face increasing challenges, the EU needs to redouble its efforts to empower rural communities by enabling them to design and implement solutions tailored to local needs, as Local Development Companies like Inishowen Development Partnership have done for the last 30 years,” she wrote in a post on Linkedin.
€7 million fund to assist thousands of community groups nationwide
The funding will consist of €6 million in capital supports essential for many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged communities in rural and urban areas. There will be a particular focus on small capital works/improvements, and the purchase of equipment for community use.
Increased funding for 400 community organisations
An additional €3 million funding has been allocated to support community services organisations from January 2025 under the Community Services Programme (CSP). Over 400 community organisations nationwide are set to benefit from the announcement, made by Minister for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien today. The CSP aims to provide employment opportunities and local services to disadvantaged communities.
203 community groups to receive funding for local trails
More than €1 million in funding has been announced today for the development and improvement of 517 walking trails around the country. Under the initiative, some 203 community groups will receive grants ranging from €1,500 to €35,000 for the development and upgrade of their local trails. Funding is also being provided under the scheme to support groups to promote their trails as tourist attractions.
48 new vehicles to be provided for essential services
More than €2.1 million has been allocated to provide 48 vehicles for a number of services including cancer care, transport for people with mobility issues, and to deliver meals on wheels to the elderly and other vulnerable people. Vehicles will also be provided to support community first responders and search and rescue services. The funding, announced today, is being allocated under the 2024 CLÁR programme.
Minister reminds community organisations of funding deadline
The closing date for applications to the Community Centre Investment Fund has been extended to 3pm this Thursday, September 5 Community groups are being encouraged to get their applications for the Community Centre Investment Fund finalised as soon as possible as the deadline approaches this week. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, last week extended the closing date for the Community Centre Investment Fund to 3pm on Thursday September 5.
Government to expand Empowering Communities Programme
The Empowering Communities Programme (ECP) is to be expanded to two new areas: Tallaght-Jobstown and Roscommon-Castlereagh, with funding for community engagement workers in both areas. The ECP specifically targets area-based deprivation, identified by the Pobal HP Deprivation Index, through a community development approach.
€20 million fund available for community centre upgrades
Grants of up to €100,000 will be provided under the Community Centre Investment Fund to upgrade existing Community Centres. Eligible works include: accessibility works, refurbishments to kitchens and toilets, and energy efficiency upgrades. A new round of €20 million in funding will support the upgrade and refurbishment of community centres across the country.
€16 million investment in Ireland’s great outdoors
A total of 69 projects nationwide will benefit from a €16 million funding investment in outdoor recreation projects. Greenways, Blueways, forest parks and cycling facilities across the country will receive funding as the Government pledges to focus on outdoor adventure tourism as the summer season approaches.
Record €164 million funding for rural towns and villages
A record €164 million funding allocation has been announced for 30 rural regeneration projects around the country, including the redevelopment of a former convent, and the provision of new community hubs and seaside boardwalks. The largest allocation to date under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund places a particular emphasis on the revitalisation of rural town centres, combating vacancy and dereliction.
Funding granted for new public plazas, markets and town parks all over rural Ireland
Funding of over €20 million has been granted for 82 projects in rural towns and villages around Ireland under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The successful projects include the provision of public plazas and farmers’ markets in town centres and the development of town parks, youth centres and playgrounds. The funding scheme places a particular emphasis on combating dereliction and repurposing old buildings to revitalise rural town centres.
€25 million boost for library services
Projects will include the transformation of an old church in Co Louth, and a former cinema in Co Sligo into new state-of-the-art public libraries and community facilities A major investment of more than €25 million for public library services across the country was announced this week. Among the projects to be funded are 11 new public libraries and 12 new mobile library vehicles.
Record €40 million funding to upgrade rural laneways
It marks the highest ever allocation for the scheme, and aims to provide essential funding to improve road access to homes and farms in rural areas. The allocation includes €1.1 million in ring-fenced funding for road upgrades on offshore islands in Cork, Galway, Donegal, Mayo and Sligo.
€30 million funding provided for 12 new community centres
12 projects in areas that currently lack a community centre will receive between €1 million and €6 million to build brand new facilities. An investment of more than €30 million to provide 12 new community centres across Ireland was announced this week. It is the first time in the history of the State that a dedicated fund has been set up to deliver new-build community centres in rural Ireland.
Island's brilliant example of how commmunity workers change lives
“It’s probably the best project I’ve seen here in 20 years,” says development worker John McCafferty. The Active Arranmore project began in January, 2023, with funding for a coordinator for one year. That has now been extended into 2024 and all involved want the funder to back it for a good decade. “The project is about being active and healthy, having an active body and mind, using the natural infrastructure here, along with the tennis courts, amphitheatre, our gym and so on.
€50 million fund to support communities welcoming refugees
A further €50 million has been allocated to the Community Recognition Fund, which was introduced last year to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, and Minister of State Joe O’Brien announced the 2024 allocation today for communities that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries.
‘Town Teams’ of local residents to help develop Ireland’s rural towns and villages
A new €4.5 million funding package will include funding to develop a network of Town Teams that will “make their area a better place to live, work, visit and invest in”. The funding for rural towns and villages announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys today also includes €50,000 each for the development of a number of projects designed to breathe new life into rural communities. Additional funding will be provided for such projects in counties in the North West.
Derelict buildings to be transformed into community facilities
A former bakery, a vacant garda station and a disused schoolhouse are among 24 derelict and vacant sites nationwide that will be given a new lease of life thanks to a €4.5 million funding boost. The investment under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme’s Building Acquisition Measure aims to tackle the issue of dereliction and vacancy in rural towns and villages.
152 projects to benefit from €6.2 million funding
The grants of up to €50,000 will help fund projects such as astro-turf pitches, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks, nature trails, outdoor performance spaces and community cafés. The successful projects on the islands include a reference library and a beachside seating area. Projects on the mainland include the repair and refurbishment of Louisburgh Town Hall in Co Mayo, for which Louisburgh Community Futures received €49,500.
€45,000 for social enterprises that show their impact - Deadline this Sunday, Dec 10
The Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) is running a competition with €45,000 in prizes for social enterprises that best demonstrate their social impact. The application process was designed to be as straight-forward and user-friendly as possible and the deadline is coming fast – Sunday, December 10th.
Dormant Accounts Fund to provide €47.6 million for disadvantaged communities
The Dormant Accounts Fund will provide over €11.3 million to the Department of Rural and Community Development for Rethink Ireland, social inclusion, and other measures geared at addressing disadvantage Minister of State for Community Development, Integration and Charities Joe O’Brien has revealed that the Dormant Accounts Fund will provide €47.6 million to various initiatives to help disadvantaged communities all over Ireland. Funding under the 2024 Action Plan has decreased by 12.5% from 2023.
"People in communities are the heroes, we are just a bridge" - Anna Shakespeare, Pobal CEO
The agency distributed €901 million in Government funds in 2022 to thousands of communities You’d hope to get it right when dealing with Pobal, and when I sat down with CEO Anna Shakespeare I thought we were going to gallop through the page of questions I’d sent on in advance (on request). Her communications team had given me 25 minutes, 30 max. However Anna wasn’t in a rush. “Let’s have a chat!” she said.
€2 million CLÁR funding to provide minibuses, ambulances and more for rural communities
A lifeboat in Co Kerry, a search and rescue vehicle in Co Mayo and a community ambulance for counties Westmeath and Roscommon are just some of the vital modes of transport to be funded under the CLÁR Programme. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD has announced over €2 million in funding for 37 vehicles to transport people who have mobility issues, cancer patients, or for search and rescue services.
Dormant Accounts Fund provided €54.6 million in 2022
The Dormant Accounts Fund can be used to fund measures that address economic, social, or educational disadvantage and to support people with a disability. The €54.6 million spent in 2022 was spread across 46 measures aimed at addressing a diverse range of issues, such as programmes for children and young people; the Traveller and Roma communities; prisoners; carers; victims of crime; people living with dementia; and those experiencing homelessness.
New Community Centre Fund part of “unprecedented” €150m package
Registration is now open and the deadline for applications is June 7th for community groups who wish to apply for funding though the Community Centres Investment Fund (CCIF), a new fund which will see €15m invested this year in community buildings across the country. As reported here in March, the new Community Centres Investment Fund (CCIF) will see €15m spent upgrading and refurbishing community buildings across the country.
Humphreys urges other towns to follow Cootehill's example
A new community and business orientated website for a small town, believed to be the first of its kind, was launched recently by Minister Heather Humphreys. Cootehill.ie includes a community hub showcasing clubs, groups and initiatives in the area and telling the history of Cootehill. It also provides an online marketplace for local business owners to sell their products directly from the site. The site currently features 50 businesses on its online high street and 32 community groups.
North Kerry village forges ahead with unique attraction
Back when horse drawn vehicles ruled the road, every town and village had a forge because once your horse had good shoes, you could travel anywhere. They also repaired ploughs and the metal rims on cartwheels, made gates and so on. The work of the blacksmith has almost died out now, yet it is a fascinating trade and youngsters in the Spa-Fenit area of north Kerry are among the most educated in the country on the subject.
€70m in LEADER funds for 2021-'22 - announced today
€50m is expected to come from the EU to boost funds to a total of €70m for the LEADER programme for the period 2021-2022. The update, welcomed by both the Irish Local Development Network and Irish Rural Link, was announced today by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue.
Government funds keeping Lucan disability group and others operational
Lucan Disability Action Group is typical of the organisations receiving government support during the pandemic.
One Minister, two Departments: Community in Cabinet
There are 17 departments in the Irish Government. The constitution states that there can be no more than 15 senior ministers as members of the cabinet. In effect, Minister Heather Humphreys is responsible for two in one: Social Protection on the one hand; Community, Rural and Islands development on the other. Her official title is “Minister for Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands”. “I’m taking charge of two departments,” she confirmed on national radio.
Meath River Rescue is speedier and safer with new LEADER-funded equipment
The group – entirely volunteer run – was established in Navan in 1996 and now provides a service in Meath and adjacent counties. Most voluntary groups baulk at the administration and paperwork involved in submitting a request for LEADER funding, but Meath River Rescue turned to a knowledgeable local agency for support – Meath Partnership (one of 49 local development companies that provide countrywide coverage). They have formed, over the years, a formidable bond with Meath Partnership.
The real-life value of Community Enhancement funding
In 2018, more than 3,000 projects around the country got a share of €12.5 million in funding through the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Community Enhancement Programme (CEP), which provides small grants to disadvantaged communities. A closer look at that €12.5m allows us to move beyond the broad strokes to see a picture of how CEP changes communities on a basic level. In Co Offaly, for example, 115 groups received community enhancement funding.
LEADER milestone: 1,000th project proposal approved for funding
The 1,000th LEADER project under the current programme (which runs from 2014 until 2020) was approved for funding over the summer: Muckross Rowing Club (Muckross RC) in Co Kerry. Rowing is one of the oldest sporting traditions on the Lakes of Killarney, dating back for 350 years. The application for funding was made to enable Muckross RC to buy a coastal rowing boat, with a view to retaining young members who often leave the sport in their late teens.
Further perspectives on ‘Alignment’
FOCUS, HOPE, SYNERGY and RISKS “The introduction, through a new committee (Socio-Economic Committee), of a Local and Community Plan will give added focus to mainstreaming local, community and rural development issues into local government services. “More interestingly is that this local effort will be underpinned by a national policy framework which will be overseen by an inter-departmental committee, providing, hopefully, a similar level of integration and policy alignment at the national level.
Update in relation to former CDPs and the LCDP
The Department’s statement reads: “The latest phase of cohesion involves the integration of Community Development Projects (CDPs) with the 52 LDCs and the establishment of the approved alternative structures. At one stage there was a total of 185 CDPs/groups being funded under the [LCDP] programme, however this is now 153.
INTERVIEW - Minister Carey says 'no' to national forum proposal, but 'yes' to some local proposals
A lot of people had pinned hopes on the new Minister taking fully on board proposals coming from the ground up and initial comments by the Minister at events in Cork and Kerry recently were promising. Many voluntary boards of Community Development Projects and some Partnership companies were hoping he would give the ‘ok’ for Service Level Agreements (SLA) between CDPs and other agencies.
2 PROGRAMMES TO BE MERGED - CURRAN IN CAVAN
The announcement was made on Friday (Sept 18th) by Minister of State (MOS) John Curran at a Community and Voluntary Forum conference in Co. Cavan, although details on the plan were not given. ‘Changing Ireland’ has requested an interview with the MOS on questions that arise from the announcement. In his speech in Cavan, he said: “I am seeking improved alignment and focus across the range of programmes for which I have responsibility in the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
Cutbacks to CE places reversed
Volunteers, workers and SIPTU mounted a successful campaign to have cuts to Community Employment Schemes reversed. At a time of rising unemployment, the Schemes need to be expanded if anything. €10m was due to be cut. Thankfully, the CE schemes will survive for now. Read the full story in the Irish Times report Volunteers, workers and SIPTU mounted a successful campaign to have cuts to Community Employment Schemes reversed.
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