A funding boost of €300,000 has been awarded towards the development of a Resource and Outreach Centre in Belmullet by the Irish Wheelchair Association. The good news was announced by Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs Pat Carey this week.
Plans for the new state-of-the-art facilities are currently subject to planning permission and, subject to approval, the building project will commence in early autumn. The new facility will replace the current prefabs which house the services that cover the broad Erris region and respond to the dual challenge of providing appropriate accommodation for health/disability activities, while also developing a centre that will promote local community activities.
Minister Carey’s support for the project comes under the CLÁR Programme, which is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that suffered more than a 35% drop in population between 1926 and 2002. The programme covers parts of 22 counties and all of Co. Leitrim and benefits a population of nearly 727,000. CLÁR Schemes have covered a wide variety of developments such as water supply, sewerage disposal, health, coastal, schools playgrounds, sports and community projects.
Additional funding has also been received towards the project from the HSE, the IWA and other goodwill funding sponsors.
“I am delighted my Department is able to support this important development,” Minister Carey said. “Not only is it about the delivery of important health and disability facilities for the Erris region but it will contribute to the work being done by the North West Mayo Community Forum on the social and economic development of the area. Last October we announced a series of community improvement projects and said we would continue to upgrade the social and physical infrastructure of the region. I know this IWA facility will do just that for the Erris region and will be of great benefit for the local community.”
The regional director of the Irish Wheelchair Association, Tony Cunningham, said it was a great day for all those who use the services offered at Belmullet and also for the broader community in Erris, for whom the planned new Resource and Outreach Centre will be a first class community facility.
“I am delighted Minister Carey has approved this substantial funding and it means we should soon enjoy a centre that will be to the highest international standards and will allow us to deliver a comprehensive schedule of person-centred programmes and services,” he added.
The North West Mayo Community Forum was established in 2008 to promote dialogue with all parties on the Corrib Project and Economic and Social Development in the North West Mayo area.
