Laois gets six-figure slice of €4.5 million community grant cake

Laois is set to get a six-figure slice of a multi-million euro fund to support the work of community groups.

The funding was confirmed after Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development announced the launch of the 2019 Community Enhancement Programme (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 made the announcement at the Men’s Shed in Granard, Co Longford.

“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.

“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," he said.

Typical enhancements under the programme can 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 streamlining of schemes and programmes carried out by the Department of Rural and Community Development.