Over €1 million in funding for local community projects will massively benefit the Shannonside region according to local reps. The funding was announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary, who's visiting Roscommon today. Longford Senator Joe Flaherty is hopeful that the funding towards a new Longford Civil Defence Headquarters will jumpstart its procurement.
The Civil Defence in Longford currently operate out of a commercial premises on the Ballinalee Road in the town, with €50,000 now allocated towards the provision of a new headquarters. Lus na Greine Family Resource Centre will also receive €50,000, while the Longford Town TidyTowns group and Moyne Community School will each get around the same. Senator Flaherty says it's his hope that the work can move ahead quickly on providing the Civil Defence an appropriate base:
Over €700,000 has been allocated to projects in Co. Leitrim including substantial funding for two projects in Drumshanbo. €67,000 was allocated to Aura Leisure for the refurbishment of its outdoor swimming pool and over €70,000 to Aras Phadraig for Mobility access works. Fine Gael Cllr Enda McGloin says the funding announcement is recognition for the work being done by people in the local community:
The €213,000 allocated to County Roscommon will benefit four local projects. There's €80,000 for a community park in Monksland, €73,000 for improvement works at Castlerea swimming pool, €58,000 for a minibus upgrade for Kilbride and over €60,000 for South Roscommon Family Resource Centre. Roscommon Cathaoirleach Paschal Fitzmaurice says the funding for Castlerea pool is most welcome ahead of its opening later this month: