Laois community grants scheme is hugely oversubscribed

A community grants scheme administered by a committee in Laois County Council was hugely oversubscribed with sports clubs getting most of the money which is supposed to favour areas of disadvantage.

The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) provides funding to small community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, so they can make improvements to their facilities and buy equipment for community use.

The funding is provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development, and administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) which operate under the auspices of Laois County Council.

The 2025 scheme will see €173,943 coming to Laois from a pot of €7 million announced last November. This is an increase on the 2024 allocation. The 2025 money is split between €149,094 for capital projects and €24,849 for current day-to-day spending.

The scheme is popular and unfortunately, based on the 2024 experience, the money is unlikely to meet the need for support.

Last year the LCDC had €153,591.05 to spend. This made up of a capital allocation of €127,992.54 and a women’s allocation of €25,598.51. There was an administrative allocation of €7,679.55.

In addition, there was a €5,000 underspend from previous years to be allocated to LEP. This was to be used for admin costs only as instructed by the Department.

After adjustments for underspend deductions, the total available for projects was €150,991.50.

The Women’s Group Allocation resulted in 23 applications received. The total funding applied for amounted to €80,395.41 with the total eligible for funding equalling €49,619.32

The committee awarded funding to 17 of the 23 groups which applied. Out of the successful applicants, 13 groups were involved in sports. Most were Gaelic games-related. The Portlaoise Municipal District received that largest portion of the funding for women with eight groups sharing €13,736.51.

The biggest overall recipient was the Laois Domestic Abuse service which received almost €4,500. 

A total of 137 applications were received for the General LEP fund.  Of those 40 applicants sought less than €1,000 while 97 looked for more than €1,000.

The total funding applied for was €843,746.03 while the eligible for funding total was €676,591.02. The vast majority of groups looked for more than €1,000.

A total of 61 groups were awarded funding. This was made up of 19 from Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick sharing €36,669; 21 from Graiguecullen/Portarlington sharing €50,231.99. While the Portlaoise district has the biggest population the 21 successful applicants shared €38,412.

The figures show that sports clubs, particularly the GAA, were frequent recipients of funding under the general scheme. For instance Emo GAA was given €4,500 while the Emo Sport Field Committee was awarded €5,000. The biggest recipient was the Dunamaise Beekeepers Association which received €8,000, the biggest single grant.

The LCDC has opened applications for the 2025 tranche which will be awarded in the spring. For more info visit: https://laois.ie/community/community-funding/community-enhancement-programme

The Council says groups will be able to use the capital element of funding to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities, purchase equipment such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment etc.

Groups will be able to use the current element of funding to support their non-pay running costs for example energy costs/bills (electricity costs, refuse charges, heating charges), rental/lease costs, insurance bills.

The Council says this funding will help communities, community groups and committees, allowing them to continue to provide valuable services to the people in their area, and in the process strengthen the bonds that tie communities together.

Any not-for-profit community or voluntary group can apply.

All applications and supporting documentation must be received by Friday, February 7 at 4pm.