OVER €62,000 has been awarded to Kerry community groups, including some in Tralee, under the first round of the Community Enhancement Programme for 2020.

The Tralee groups to benefit are Castleview Residents Association (€1,000), Rahoonane Community Centre (€1,000), Baile Mhuire Ltd (€1,000), Tralee Community Development Project (€400), Spa Tidy Village Group (€1,000), Tralee Rowing Club (€500) and Mountain Biking Kerry (€400).

The programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development. A total of 72 projects have been approved for funding under this scheme following a meeting of the Local Community Development Committee this week.

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Countywide groups to benefit are Kerry Public Participation Network (€2,000) and Kerry Cycling Campaign (€2,000).

 

Chairperson of the Local Community Development Committee, Cllr Niall Kelleher, said that the range of projects supported include COVID-19 capital related expenditure, hand hygiene and safety measures at public amenities, purchase of IT equipment for community usage and to facilitate training for older people, improvements works to create safe outdoor recreation spaces, accessibility projects, home maintenance programmes, provision of comfortable, safe meeting spaces for older people.

“This financial support for community and voluntary organisations across the county is most welcome and will complement grants provided under a range of other programmes. This kind of support is more essential than ever in a year in which community groups have made an immense contribution to the local response effort on COVID-19,” he said.

A second round of funding has been made available by the Department under the Community Enhancement Programme. Over €155,000 is available and the closing date for applications is 21 September. Full details of the application process are available on the Council’s website.