New community fund six-times oversubscribed in Tipperary

The Community Recognition Fund was six times oversubscribed, according to Director of Services for Economic, Community and Rural Development Brian Beck.

At last week’s sitting of Tipperary County Council and in response to a query by councillor Michael Smith Mr Beck outlined how the council determined which application to progress.

He said Tipperary was awarded €997,000, and responses had to be given by the middle of March.

Responses totalled around 70 applications, but the value of the projects was over €6 million. So, the council went back to the districts and applied criteria which took into account a group's ability to deliver in a small space of time, planning permission.

They also took into account the amount of refugees and asylum seekers in an area.

However, Mr Beck said given the tight deadlines, some applications had to be ruled out.

This was based on whether the project could be funded elsewhere or missing and unclear information.

“We looked at funding what we could in areas where communities were providing the greatest level of support,” said Mr Beck.

Mr Beck said it was ultimately up to the department which projects they fund.

The Community Recognition Fund is a government scheme that funds infrastructure and facility projects in areas of the

country who have made significant efforts to accomadate Ukrainian refugees and International Protection Applicants.

The programme was announced by the Department of Rural and Community Development on January 24, 2023.