Cathaoirleach of Ballinasloe Cllr Evelyn Parsons has welcomed news that Ballinasloe Urban area will receive funding of €140,000 to support the Empowering Communities Programme (ECP) in the town.
The ECP is a new €2 million pilot programme targeting 14 small areas with the highest socio-economic deprivation.
Cllr Parsons explained that the purpose of the programme is to tackle disadvantage and social exclusion using a community development approach, by developing relationships with community stakeholders and groups.
The programme will work with other initiatives such as Community Safety Partnerships/Joint Policing Committee, Local Drug Task Forces, Youth Justice and Healthy Ireland.
This funding will also support Galway Rural Development in recruiting a Community Engagement Worker with experience of community development and local needs analysis and planning, which Cllr Parsons says is very welcome for the town.
The budget allocation is based on the level of population in each small area and Ballinasloe Urban falls into Band 3.
