Major funding boost for local organisations

MORE than 40 local community projects within Dun Laoghaire Rathdown are to receive major Government funding.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, confirmed that 3,000 projects have been allocated funding under his Department’s Community Enhancement Programme (CEP). 

Local Senator Victor Boyhan said he was particularly pleased that the Minister had announced that some 40 projects within Dun Laoghaire Rathdown would receive funding under the CEP.

Speaking to Southside People, Senator Boyhan said: “What’s good about the CEP model is that it provides capital grants to community groups and is specifically targeted towards enhancing facilities in disadvantaged communities.

“In the past CEP has supported a range of investment in areas such as childcare groups, playgrounds, recreational groups, sports grounds, landscaping, and supporting the elderly, so it’s a very important source of funding for community groups.”

Typical enhancements under the programme include the renovation of community centres and 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, the provision of defibrillators, CCTV, and sports and IT equipment.

The full list of lcoal projects supported by the CEP can be found on the Department’s website.

Minister Josepha Madigan said that over €361,000 would be earmarked for communities in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, through the Community Enhancement Programme.

Minister Madigan said: “This Community Enhancement Programme funding will enhance the amazing work of local groups and vital community facilities in Dublin Rathdown.

“These include the Nutgrove & Loreto Community Association, the Dom Marmion Society in Dundrum, the Hillview Community Resource Centre, the Kilcross Residents’ and Development Group, the Dance Theatre of Ireland, the Mount Merrion Scout Group, Broadford Rovers Football Club, and the Ballyogan Estate Management Forum.

“It is great to see the wide variety of local projects supported,” she added.

“This programme helps support important work by communities across Dublin Rathdown by allocating funding worth €361,092 that will allow local groups to invest in their facilities, and provide new services to our local community.

“Examples of work funded locally include new storage facilities for the Mount Merrion Scouts, CCTV and defibrillator facilities for Kilcross Residents’ and Development Group, upgrading the Nutgrove & Loreto Community Association communal meeting rooms, and renovating the kitchen area that is used by the popular Dom Marmion Society.”