Community Grants Roadshows This Month In Carrigaline and Kinsale

Writes Leo McMahon

Voluntary groups of every kind in need of financial support from the county council for a project are urged to attend roadshows about Community Grants organised by Carrigaline Municipal District (MD) from 4 to 7pm on Wednesday, January 21st in Carrigaline Court Hotel. The Bandon-Kinsale MD roadshow is on Tuesday, January 20^th in Kinsale Library, also from 4 to 7pm.

The principal focus is to ensure communities are aware of the grant streams available through the council. The main ones are Amenity Grants, Community Contracts and Capital Grants) and officials will be in attendance to assist community, sporting and residential group representatives in deciding which category they should apply for as well as how to register.

Information will be provided on a range of other supports for communities on how to apply for local improvements under Clar (funding for small rural projects), the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, heritage grants and climate action supports.            

Members of the council’s planning directorate will also be in attendance along with representatives of the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and local Development companies, the latter of whom will inform the public about EU Leader backed projects.

MD officer Denise Kidney, at the recent Carrigaline MD meeting, said council officials would endeavour to deal with various queries on what is involved and the different community grant funding streams that can be applied for. Councillors welcomed this.  An cathaoirleach Cllr Ben Dalton-O’Sullivan (Ind) urged members of voluntary bodies to attend the Carrigaline MD roadshow.

Senior executive engineer Alan Cogan said the MD managed to secure some funding for footpath work at Waterpark, Carrigaline that will eventually link into the Carrigaline Transportation and Public Realm Enhancement Plan (TPREP).  The roll-out of bus stop markings was continuing and works on Ballygarvan Village Enhancement Scheme practically complete on the day of the meeting.

The latter was welcomed by an cathaoirleach Cllr Dalton-O’Sullivan who thanked senior engineer Liam Aherne, Richard Keating in the property section and all who carried out the work in the village.

On a proposal by Cllr Jack White (FG) the MD passed votes of congratulations to Crosshaven Rugby Club on winning the O’Neill Cup and to Colaiste Muire, Crosshaven on winning the under 16 basketball county final and the junior camogie county final.

Cllr Una McCarthy (FG) proposed congratulations to Carrigaline and District Lions Club on the success of its Film Awards which significantly benefited six charities and to Gaelcholaiste Charraig Ui Leighin on its 10^th anniversary.

A welcome was extended at the MD meeting to assistant staff officer Louise O’Riordan and to acting senior executive officer Marie O’Leary.