Funding of €250,000 has been anounced for disadvantaged areas in Mullingar, just two weeks after the town was ear-marked for inclusion in the RAPID programme.
The significant sum, which has been made available through the Dormant Accounts Fund, is to go towards rejuvenating areas in need of support, through the provision of community facilities and educational and environmental improvements. The areas covered by the scheme include Grange, Ennell Court and D'Alton Park.
The quarter million in funding was announced yesterday by Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív, who visited Mullingar’s parish centre in recent weeks to announce Mullingar’s inclusion in the programme.
Welcoming the funding, Mullingar’s Cllr Robert Troy said the funding would go a long way to rejuvenate areas in need of support.
“I warmly welcome the allocation of funding. There is so much good work being done by the council, LEADER, residential associations, and voluntary groups, and this will help put in place much-needed services and standalone projects,” said Cllr Troy.
“When Minister Ó Cuív visited, people were asking what good is it being included in the RAPID programme if there is no money? The Minister said that whatever money was available, he would put the new RAPID areas to the top of the list, and this is what he has done.”
Cllr Ken Glynn also joined in welcoming the “very necessary and worthwhile projects”.
Other new RAPID areas to benefit from funding are Ballina, Co Mayo; Dungarvan, Co Waterford; Enniscorthy, Co Wexford; and Rathkeale, Co Limerick.
“This spending goes directly to projects dealing with disadvantage and additional investment in our children’s education. These allocations provide significant benefit to the people who need it most in our disadvantaged communities,” said Minister Ó Cuív.
