Grants of €276,000 will enhance community projects in Kilkenny

Community groups across Kilkenny are to benefit from grants of more than €276,000 under a Community Enhancement Programme.

49 groups and clubs will gets sums between €1,100 and €31,000 for individual projects that will enhance facilities in disadvantaged communities, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Mr Michael Ring TD, confirmed this week.

CEP provides capital grants to community groups. It supports a range of investment in all areas of communities, such as childcare groups, playgrounds, recreational groups, sports grounds, landscaping and supporting the elderly.

Minister Ring said: “A relatively small amount of money can go a long way and this investment will greatly benefit local community projects throughout the country.

“Typical enhancements under the Programme could include the renovation of community centres and community amenities, improvements to town parks and common areas and spaces and the purchase of equipment which is used to benefit the community.

“The Programme has also supported energy efficient upgrades, developing community gardens, provision of defibrillators, CCTV, and sports and IT equipment.
“The funding has been allocated in a way that means that those communities who need it most, whether in cities, towns or rural areas, will benefit.”

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.

The top grant, of €31, 316, was awarded to CKLP - Synergy Network for the upgrade of community hall electrics.
Gairdín na Ghorta, in Newmarket, Dunnamaggin, has been granted €21,000 for community hall accessibility and fire safety.

Grants of €10,000 each were awarded to the following groups:
Castlecomer Demesne Company to replace a diesel generator with mains electricity supply in a woodland area.
Clogh Moneenroe Community Playground for playground equipment.
Community Concern for replacement of the wooden floor in St Kieran’s Community Hall.
Community Radio for the upgrade of studio equipment and provision of wheelchair access to the station.
Ferrybank Community Allotment Project for and eco-friendly log cabin.
Freshford Squash Club for the upgrade of the building and equipment.
Graignamanagh Regatta Committee to upgrade existing facilities at the boat house.
KCAT Arts Centre to provide automated wheelchair doors at the premises.
Kilkenny Storm ice hockey club for equipment.
St Patrick’s Boxing Club for equipment.
Thomastown Men’s Shed for a new building.
Thomastown Scout Group for a replacement roof on the scout den.

Examples of just some of the other projects supported in Kilkenny include:
€8,200 for Foroige’s The Drum Youth Project in Kilkenny city.
€3,000 for the replacement of the roof and windows at Coolagh Hall, Callan.
€3,000 for Freshford Boxing Club to buy equipment.
€7,000 for the refurbishment of the Men’s Shed in Graignamanagh.
€2,000 for the South Sudanese Community for equipment and materials to celebrate their 10 year anniversary in Kilkenny.
€1,130 for a computer to the MS Society (Multiple Sclerosis Ireland).
€2,750 for Callan Handball and Racquetball Club for a lawnmower and to develop an underage soccer pitch.

Sums between €400 and €1,500 have been granted to groups for defibrillators and training: Castlecomer Enterprise Centre and Deenview Centre; Droichead Family Resource Centre; Eastern Environs Defibrillator Group; Ferrybank Community First Responders; Flipside; Freebooters AFC; Goresbridge Rural Development; KBK Community Cooperative Society; Paulstown Community Text Alert; St Lachtain’s GAA; Threecastles GAA; Tullogher Rosbercon GAA.