€4.5 million Community Enhancement Programme will support invaluable work of community groups – Minister Ring

Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, today (Wednesday 27 March) announced the launch of the 2019 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) with initial funding of €4.5 million.

Minister Ring made the announcement at the Men’s Shed in Granard, which benefited from funding in the 2018 CEP.

The CEP is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and will provide €4.5 million of grant funding towards enhancing the facilities available to communities. The Programme has a focus on supporting groups in disadvantaged areas.

Minister Ring said: “The CEP provides vital support to community groups in order to help them improve their facilities. 

“It supports small-scale funding for projects which range from purchasing lawnmowers and IT equipment to minor renovations to buildings. Ultimately the Programme responds to local needs and also provides funding towards larger projects.

“In Granard Men’s Shed today I have seen how funding from the CEP is being used to construct a kitchen area, which is nearing completion and will enhance the facility considerably. 

“Granard Men’s Shed does fantastic local work and is representative of the contribution made by the communities which the CEP supports. 

“These investments allow community groups to carry out the invaluable work they do on behalf of others in local areas throughout the country. The impact of the Community Enhancement Programme is considerable.

“Typical enhancements under the programme could include the purchase of equipment or materials, improvements to town parks and common areas and spaces, CCTV equipment and energy efficiency type projects.”

The CEP was launched for the first time in 2018 and funded over 3,000 projects across the country. 

It was the result of the first significant exercise in the streamlining of schemes and programmes carried out by the Department of Rural and Community Development. 

It combined two existing schemes so that funding is now provided to improve facilities in a manner that is more flexible and responsive at a local level.

For details on the 2019 funding in each Local Authority area please see the below table.