Two big community projects in Galway have been awarded more than €400,000 in grants announced this week.
Patrick O’Donovan T.D., Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, announced this week that he has approved a grant of up to €351,758, for the Coiste Pobail na Minna committee in Indreabhán to undertake refurbishment works to the Community Centre there.
He has also announced a grant of €66,063, or 80% of the total cost, of upgrading Páirc Spraoi na Ceathrún Rua for Comharchumann Mhic Dara in An Cheathrú Rua to undertake this work.
The two grants were announced by Minister O’Donovan during a visit to Ionad Pobail na Minna on Friday.
Ionad Pobail na Minna is a central hub for many community activities, including a range of classes and social events, and all events there are organised through Irish.
This centre is also the location of the local Irish language summer college from June to August every year. The grant funding will go towards refurbishment of the centre.
Comharchumann Mhic Dara intends to use the funding to improve the facilities in the playground in An Cheathrú Rua to a standard that ensures that they are accessible to all members of the community.
The grants have been approved under the Department’s Community and Language Supports Programme.
Minister O’Donovan said, “These grants will enable these organisations to undertake necessary repairs and upgrades.”
£For Ionad Pobail na Minna this will ensure that the building remains functional for years to come and will continue to serve the community and the language.”
“For An Cheathrú Rua, the existing facilities will be enhanced and developed to ensure that the local community, both young and old, can come together in a fun and creative environment.”
“Opportunities for sport and play are essential, not only for the purposes of developing infrastructure also for the social and cognitive development of the young generation and this facility will greatly contribute to that objective.”