FIFTEEN community projects across Co Galway are to benefit following the allocation of €724,000 under the CLÁR 2024 Measure 1 Programme.
Significant funding is directed at enhancing the county’s playgrounds with the inclusion of new equipment, net climbing frames, sensory play equipment and additional seating in Moylough, Woodford, Roundstone, Gort and Clonberne with further grant aid allocated for the development of play facilities at Leenane Community Park.
The investment programme also supports rural communities by sustaining community meeting places, events and activities through the funding of infrastructural upgrades to community centres and halls in Barnadearg, Killererin and Killmordaly.
CLÁR will aid the further development of outdoor facilities including walkways and multi-use games areas at Kilchreest N.S., Ballygar N.S., Williamstown and Dunmore combined with investment in community rooms and changing facilities in Clontuskert and renovations to Esker Committee Centre. Meanwhile, funding has been allocated for the delivery of tennis and basketball courts in Kilconly.
Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr Albert Dolan (FF) said the funding, which was secured with the support of Galway County Council, “will assist voluntary organisations and schools with the development and upgrade of community and sports facilities, playgrounds, sensory gardens and walking tracks.”
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council commented, “The Local Authority is delighted to have supported the funding proposals which have come directly from the community and voluntary organisations. The groups behind these initiatives will each receive an average of €50,000 in capital funding, which is provided at a rate of 90% of eligible expenditure. The projects must be completed within 15 to 18 months”.
Director of Services for Rural, Community and Integration, Jackie Carroll noted the level of interest and efforts by communities. “Further to an open call for Expression of Interest by Galway County Council in May 2024, 69 applications were received and assessed underlining the level of interest and value of this small-scale infrastructure scheme to communities throughout County Galway,” she explained. “The combined investment will provide a vital injection of funding to sustain the year-on-year improvements in community amenities which the Department, Galway County Council, and community and local development groups are collectively achieving”.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys TD confirmed the funding allocation this week as part of an €11.4 million investment for 264 projects across Ireland under the 2024 CLÁR Programme, representing one of its largest allocations of CLÁR funding to date.
