Coastal communities in Galway and all along the Atlantic will benefit from over €400,000 in funding from Ireland’s Fisheries Local Action Groups.
The FLAGs grants are co-funded by the government and the EU under the Maritime & Fisheries Fund Operational Programme.
Just some of the groups in Galway that will benefit from these grants are Galway Sailing Club, who received €12,000 to purchase a new rib.
They aim to promote sailing in Galway city and the surrounding area, and to especially try and get involved children or people with a disability who’ve never experienced the sport before.
Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit, a voluntary organisation that’s been helping to search for people missing on Galway Bay for the past two years, have been allocated €16,800 for a new storage unit.
Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton said the grants are an important investment on our coastal economy and communities, “The coastline in Galway is of immense importance to the City and County,”
“We have a thriving tourist industry based on it. Not only that, but our coastline provides an immense opportunity for socio economic development. Coastal communities are invaluable in opening up our coastal resources to the wider community.”
“Today’s announcement will assist many community groups in Galway to expand and enhance the experience they offer locals and tourists alike,” the Fine Gael TD said.
“Given our recovering economy it is positive to see funds being made available to local groups who provide such wonderful amenities in our community.”
The Port of Galway Sea Scouts have young members form 6 to 18 years old who spend their time sailing, paddling, hillwalking, and camping.
They have been granted €10,040 to purchase a new safety boat to protect their members while having fun on the water.
All in all €1.5 million in grants were handed out by the 7 FLAGs to support 106 coastal projects worth €2.4 million.
The grant money was announced by Minister for Agriulture, Food, and the Marine Michael Creed: “I am delighted to announce that an additional 106 grants worth €1.5 million have been awarded by our 7 coastal FLAG groups, bringing total FLAG grant offers in 2018 to €3.1 million.”
“The FLAGs initiative is proving a fantastic success and the grants awarded to the 247 local coastal projects to date in 2018 will be a hugely important boost to these coastal communities.”
Successful projects this year include investments in micro seafood enterprises, marine tourism and marine leisure projects, heritage projects, small harbour facilities, and environmental and training projects.
