Laois getting €1 million in recognition for helping Ukrainians

Laois County Council is getting a €1 million under a new fund to recognise the help given to welcome refugees from Ukraine and other countries.  

The €1,014,607 is part of a €50 million national fund allocated through the Community Recognition Fund. The money is been allocated across all local authorities based on the number of new arrivals located.

Laois is getting more money than neighbouring Carlow, Offaly, Kildare, Kilkenny and Tipperary because of the number of people who have arrived seeking refuge.

Apart from welcoming nearly 800 Ukrainians, Laois is also home to direct provision centres in Emo and and Abbeyleix.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys and Minister of State Joe O’Brien set out the details of the €50 million fund. His Department says it is designed to specifically support communities across the country that have welcomed and are hosting families and citizens from Ukraine and other countries.

The Department says will be spent by sports clubs, community organisations, transport infrastructure and local groups within the community.

The allocation was welcomed by Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Sean Fleming.

“Communities all over Ireland have opened their homes and facilities in recent times to people who are very much in need. This fund will support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community in developing projects ranging from sports clubs, playgrounds and walkways, to community groups in areas such as arts, drama and music.

“I encourage communities within Laois to contact Laois County Council directly in the coming weeks to ensure that high quality projects can be delivered,” said Minister Fleming. 

Minister Pippa Hackett also welcomed the allocation. 

“This fund, the first of its kind, is recognising the invaluable part our communities have played in welcoming and embracing citizens from Ukraine and other countries. It is allocated across all local authorities based on the number of new arrivals located there and will see over €1 million go to Laois County Council and just under €670,000 to Offaly.

“It is wonderful to see our communities being recognised and rewarded for being so welcoming over the years, as they have dealt with many challenges, not least the war in Ukraine. I encourage communities to engage with their local authorities in developing projects that directly address local needs.  The fund can be used for a wide variety of projects from refurbishment of local sports clubs and community facilities to festivals and transport and I look forward to seeing the fruits of this fund come to bear, benefitting our towns and villages for years to come,” said Minister Hackett. 

IN PICTURES: Laois church holds concert for Ukraine

Deputy Charlie Flanagan also welcomed the allocation. 

“The projects that will be supported will benefit the whole community, young and old alike. Communities will be enabled to develop and deliver initiatives that directly address their local needs. It could be used for transport infrastructure such as the purchase of a community vehicle or bus shelter, or it could be used to develop sports clubs or for arts and music. I encourage local community groups to engage with Laois County Council to assess how funding might be accessed and best utilised.

The projects that will be supported under the fund include: The refurbishment of local sports clubs and facilities. The upgrade of community facilities such as play areas, walkways, parks and community gardens. The purchase of equipment to benefit local clubs, festivals, music and arts organisations. The enhancement of school or parish facilities that are open to the wider community after hours or on weekends. Transport infrastructure such as community vehicles and bus shelters, " he said.

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Central Statistics Office(CSO) figures from December 2022 show Laois has welcomed 789 Ukrainian refugees. There were 323 in Portlaoise, 298 in Graiguecullen/Portarlington and 168 in Borris-in-Ossory. In neighbouring Offaly, which received an allocation of €669,691, a total of 619 Ukrainians were recorded by the CSO in December 2022.