Local groups to benefit from ‘clean up’ funding

COMMUNITY groups across the city are to benefit from a Public Area Enhancement Scheme announced last week.

The

?¬105,000 allocated to Dublin City Council to support community groups in enhancing their areas is part of a

?¬3 million Public Area Enhancement Scheme announced by Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD.

Deputy Catherine Byrne (FG) said the funding could be used for the clean-up of parks and recreational areas or even the cleaning and making safe of derelict buildings.

“The minister has asked that this funding be used to undertake work in cooperation with community based groups where possible,

? she said.

“As a result, this funding can be of huge benefit to local community groups involved in the Tidy Towns competition, who do great work on all our behalf.

“Living in clean and tidy communities greatly improves our quality of life.

?

Fine Gael’s Local Election candidate Samantha Long also welcomed the funding.

“This has been a challenging year so far for local authorities in terms of managing their public spaces due to the inclement weather conditions we have experienced,

? she said.

“Towns and cities across the country will be hoping for another very successful tourist season this year, following on from the success of Gathering Ireland in 2013.

?

Meanwhile, a total of five local schools are to benefit from funding under the 2014 Summer Works Scheme.

“A total of

?¬36 million is being made available nationally by Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn, in this year’s allocation.

The schools to receive funding include St Olafs NS, Balally Drive, Dundrum, Na Maighdine Muire GNS, Ballinteer, Queen Of Angels Primary School, Wedgewood, Dundrum, Marley Grange NS, Marley Grange, Rathfarnham and St Patrick GNS, Rathfarnham.

Cllr Grace Tallon
(Lab) said this was excellent news for the local schools involved.

“It means that essential works such as electricity, gas and mechanical works can be carried out this summer so that our pupils will have warmer and safer classrooms,

? she said.

“As somebody closely involved with schools locally, it’s great to see that these projects have been given the green light.

“An extra benefit of this scheme is that works will be undertaken during the school holidays, causing minimal disruption to pupils in each of the schools.

?