Fingal LCDC approves funding for 123 community and voluntary groups across the region
November 27, 2018
PRESS RELEASE
Fingal’s Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) has approved the allocation of almost €500,000 to community and voluntary groups across the region under the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP).
Some €326,668 was allocated by the Department of Rural & Community Development to Fingal County Council in September in addition to the sum of €150,521 received in May.
Some 123 groups across the region will receive funding under (CEP), which supports disadvantaged communities throughout the country by providing capital grants to community groups. A total of 174 applications were received.
The successful applicants were located across the county with Balbriggan and Blanchardstown in particular approved for substantial funding reflecting applications received from groups dealing with disadvantage in these areas.
The application process for the CEP is administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area. There was an open application process when the CEP was originally launched in May, and the additional funding secured in the second allocation will be used to fund applications that were made under the original call, but which were not funded or not fully funded.
The CEP provides a flexible and targeted approach to funding those communities most in need and is aimed at addressing disadvantage as identified in the Fingal Local Economic and Community Plan.
Emer O’Gorman, Fingal County Council’s Director of Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Development said: “We are delighted with this additional funding which will allow investment in communities across Fingal. We look forward to working with the many community and voluntary groups to bring their projects to fruition.”
Fingal LCDC Chairperson Pat O’Connor said: “I welcome the approval by the LCDC of this funding which will greatly assist community groups in delivering their projects. The level of funding made available recognises the important role played by community and voluntary groups in addressing disadvantage in our communities.”
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring said: “The Community Enhancement Programme supports a range of investment in all areas of communities, such as childcare groups, playgrounds, recreational groups, sports grounds, landscaping, and the elderly.
“The additional funding has been allocated in a way that takes deprivation levels into account and I am confident that those communities who need it most, whether in cities, towns or rural areas, will benefit.”
€16,000 was also provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development to support the work of Men’s Sheds through the Community Enhancement Programme this year, which benefitted nine local groups in Fingal.