*The Pavilion Community Hall in Lisdoonvarna.

FIVE Clare groups have been awarded a combined €87,446 under the latest tranche of COVID stability funding for community and voluntary groups.

Lisdoonvarna Fáilte (€72,375), Miltown Malbay Development Company (€8,071), Feakle Community Council (€3,000), Samaritans Ennis and Clare (€2,000) and Tulach na Farraige Community Hall CLG (€2,000) were the five groups from the county included among the sixty five nationally.

Cash injections for the groups varied from €2,000 to €200,000 with a total allocation of €2m across the country. Groups receiving the funds have seen their incomes suffer as a result of the pandemic. Since the onset of COVID-19, €48.5m has been provided under the fund. The funding is being provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development and administered through Pobal.

Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) noted that a spread and mix of services have been targeted in the county’s allocation. “Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, community groups across Clare and indeed across the country have bent over backwards to do all in their power to assist people in their locality – be it from shopping for the elderly and vulnerable to mental health supports to everything in between,” said Deputy Crowe.

“These groups also do Trojan work when things are normal but the difference now is that their income streams have dried up as a result of the pandemic,” the Meelick native added.