O'Rourke welcomes RAPID funding boost for five Athlone areas

Athlone councillor Aengus O'Rourke has welcomed an increase in next year's council funding for RAPID projects in disadvantaged areas of the town.

RAPID projects in Athlone are undertaken in Willow Park, Woodlands Grove and Ashdale, Sarsfield Square, Battery Heights, and Blackberry Lane.

In 2023, Westmeath County Council allocated €25,000 in RAPID funding for these areas, but a proposal by Cllr O'Rourke to increase this to €40,000 next year was passed at the council's budget meeting last week.

"The RAPID programme aims to support the most disadvantaged areas in our town," said Cllr O'Rourke.

"This funding will assist us to build capacity within these communities, and will also help us to progress our annual plans for the areas. I am constantly meeting with and working with these communities to ensure there is a coherent plan and to ensure the money is well spent.

"My aim has always been to support these areas through education, work, sport, healthy living and self-sufficiency.

"Together with Westmeath Community Development, we will be looking at all the previous plans as well as any research and data which has been gathered.

"We will be identify and addressing any gaps with the objective of building confidence and supporting the communities to help themselves as much as possible.

"The RAPID programme in Athlone is trusted and respected for addressing disadvantage and for delivering positive outcomes in communities that need support.

"This additional funding will help us to do even more work on the ground in 2024 and that is to be welcomed," he concluded.