43 community and sporting groups throughout County Roscommon are to share in Community Enhancement Programme funding of €239,000 which Independent TD Denis Naughten has described as “recognition of the tremendous worked being carried out by local voluntary and community groups”.
Commenting on the announcement by the Department of Rural and Community Development, Deputy Naughten said: “The funding will improve accessibility and usage of a large number of community facilities throughout the County ranging from Lisacul and the O’Rourke Centre in Castlerea to Ballyforan, Dysart and Kilteevan to name just a few”.
He added: “This investment will also help to support projects which are key to the promotion of the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands tourism brand such as Suck Valley Way, Rathcroghan Visitors Centre, Cuisle Holiday Centre, and the Lough Ree Angling Hub.
“Included in the announcement by Minister Michael Ring is money for the purchase of five defibrillators in Rahara, Portrun, Strokestown, Athleague/Tremane and Four Roads. Defibrillators can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation so this funding is hugely significant and will help to ensure defibrillators are available in every school, community hall, sports clubs and church and ultimately within easy reach in an emergency so lives can be saved.
“The key aspect of this funding allocation is its recognition of the enormous service that volunteers provide to us in our county and in our communities on a daily basis. We owe all of them a great debt of gratitude”.
Fine Gael Senator Frank Feighan said it was great to see such a wide variety of local projects benefit from the Community Enhancement Programme and said that he was confident that the communities who needed the funding the most would benefit.
