A recent photo of D'Alton Park residents at the Riverside Centre on an excursion to Emerald Park.

Over €280k announced for 229 local projects

A total of €282,239 has been announced for 229 local projects in Westmeath under the Community Support Fund 2022.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, said key theme of the fund is to support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their energy bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities.

Some of the projects that have received funding include:

Cancer Support Sanctuary LARCC €2,500

Dalton Park Residents Association €1,300

Delvin Friendship Club €1,507

Delvin Tidy Towns €1,990

Derrygreenagh Park Residents Association, Rochfortbridge €2,190

Killucan Area Men's Shen €1,480

Mullingar Harriers €2,000

Mullingar Homecare Services €2,500

Mullingar Town Band €3,000

Westmeath Women's Shed Mullingar €1,950

Women's Community Projects Mullingar €1,990

“I am delighted to announce over €282,000 in funding for 229 local projects across County Westmeath today as part of my Department’s Community Support Fund," said Minister Humphreys. “Through ‘Our Rural Future’, I want to support locally led, ground-up projects in local communities across the country. This funding is all about giving a helping hand to our local groups and clubs with their energy costs, whether it’s the electricity bill, insurance costs or other overheads.

“While these grants are small in nature, they can make a big difference by allowing local community organisations to carry out much needed works in their area,” she added. “I fully appreciate the fantastic work carried out by volunteers in communities across the country whether it’s the local Parish Hall Committee, the Development Association or the local Senior Citizens Group. These local committees work hard to make sure they can keep the lights on and run fantastic local services and events for young and old to enjoy."

The Minister thanked Westmeath County Council and Local Community Development Committee for their assistance in administering this fund.

Minister Joe O’Brien said the Community Support Fund provides a range of invaluable small grants to help the smaller community groups and facilities that support communities at a grassroots level.

“I know that this funding is an important tool in helping these important groups and we were especially conscious that with the impact of current energy costs many groups would need additional supports to help them to continue to provide their valuable services to the people in their areas. I want to congratulate the successful projects and to thank them for the vital work they do in providing services in their local communities”

A full list of the successful projects in Westmeath is available here.