The grants are designed to improve infrastructure at the facilities.

David Doherty of Switch2Solar in Ballinlough says this has made solar power more affordable and within people's budgets.

49 grants were paid out last season with 37 grant application so far this year.

Deborah Dwyer of Westmeath Citizens Information says that if a person was previously refused Fuel Allowance, they may now be eligible as the bands have widened.

Mel Crowe believes the key to successful grant applications is to keep trying:

Longford has recorded one of the lowest funding levels for road repairs in the country, with 6.7 million euro provided to the council so far this year.

Local providers say the rate of pay is not attracting new workers to fill the increasing gaps.

19 projects nationwide were awarded funding