Huge demand in Tipperary for grants targeted at communities hosting Ukrainian refugees

Tipperary County Council received close to 70 applications for a slice of the €998,000 grant aid allocated to improve community facilities and infrastructure in towns and villages hosting Ukrainian refugees. 

The applications for Community Recognition Fund grants were for capital projects valued at €6m, which is six times the amount of grant aid allocated to the county,  the council’s monthly meeting in Clonmel was told. 

The Government funding allocated to Tipperary County Council in January is for the development, enhancement or refurbishment of community, sports and cultural facilities and  the purchase of equipment for local clubs. 

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It can also be invested in the purchase of land for community facilities and improvement of transport infrastructure such as purchasing community vehicles and erecting bus shelters.

The council had to submit to the Department of Rural & Community Development the applications it was putting forward for consideration for approval for the Community Recognition Fund grants by March 15. 

Director of Economic, Community & Rural Development Services Brian Beck explained each municipal district assessed the applications from their area based on a series of criteria such as the community group’s ability to deliver a project within the tight timeframe of the grant scheme and the number of Ukrainians living in their area. 

The council had to direct the aid to where it would give the greatest level of support to communities hosting refugees. 

Some applications were deemed invalid because they didn’t submit information that was required. In other cases its was felt the projects could be funded from other public sources of finance. 

Mr Beck said it will ultimately be the Department’s call what projects are approved funding. The council hopes to hear back quickly from the Department. 

He pointed out  60% of the grant aid has to be spent this year and the council hasn’t received any indication whether further funds will be allocated under the scheme.