New community funding for works in Tang, Ballymore, Rosemount and Moore
A new multipurpose games area in Tang, a community centre carpark in Ballymore, public lighting in Rosemount, and the creation of disabled parking spaces at Moore Community Hall in South Roscommon are among the local projects set to benefit from the latest round of community funding announced by the Government.
Earlier today (Monday), the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, announced grants of some €7.4 million to support 175 community projects nationwide.
The funding is being provided through the CLÁR programme, as part of the Government's 'Our Rural Future' policy for rural development.
In Westmeath, a multipurpose games area in Tang, which is to be situated at Tang National School for use by the whole community, received funding of €50,000.
Two projects in Ballymore - a car park at the community centre, and 'astro and fencing' works at Ballymore GAA - received €50,000 each.
The same sum was also awarded for public lighting serving the local community in Rosemount.
In South Roscommon, a sum of €25,926 was awarded for the provision of disabled car parking spaces and the creation of an outdoor space at Moore Community Hall.
Also of local relevance is a plan to renovate the Shannonbridge - Clonmacnoise Community Hall to create a meeting space. This project was awarded €49,500.
The community funding has been welcomed by Westmeath Ministers of State Peter Burke and Robert Troy.
"I have worked with my colleague Councillor Tom Farrell on many of these projects and I am glad to see they have been supported," said Minister of State Burke.
"Ballymore Community Centre will be now in a position to provide a carpark at the community centre, there will be a multipurpose games area provided at Tang NS for use by the whole community and new astro and fencing at Ballymore GAA.
"Rosemount will benefit from increased and upgraded public lighting, as will the Finnea community due to the application by the very active Tidy Towns Committee.
"These projects will mean these communities and school areas are kept safer for locals and residents to enjoy."
The CLÁR scheme is wide ranging, and only rural areas which have experienced depopulation and certain levels of deprivation are eligible, which means the communities that need the most support are targeted," he commented.
Minister of State Troy also welcomed the funding which he said would "continue to support communities to develop great facilities across the Midlands for everyone to enjoy."
He added: "Every community is different and the people living in the towns and villages across rural Ireland know what their community needs the most. This programme and funding announced today puts the needs of rural communities first.
"I was pleased to work with some of these groups to submit their applications for funding and I hope this new funding will make our communities across Westmeath even more attractive places to work, live and raise a family."