Tipperary group awarded over €30,000 in funding for water conservation programme

A Tipperary community group has been awarded over €30,000 in funding for helping to support water quality across the country.

Cabragh Wetlands in Thurles has been given €32,957 from the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) as part of their Catchment Support Fund Open Call 2025.

The Tipperary grant announcement is part of a nationwide grant allocation of €856,260 for 40 community groups across 19 counties.

The Catchment Support Fund launched last year as a direct response to the Resilience Pilot Project Evaluation and an external review of LAWPRO’s other fund - the Community Water Development Fund.

READ MORE: One Tipperary Daffodil Day group raise almost €20,000 for Irish Cancer Society

Both reviews indicated that funding was necessary to build capacity in local groups to support Ireland’s third River Basin Management Plan, the Water Action Plan 2024.

The funding will support a diverse range of projects nationwide including river and catchment conservation initiatives to restore and protect local rivers and their ecosystems, community engagement programmes that promote water stewardship and raise awareness about water quality issues and biodiversity enhancement.

Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan said that the funding allocation will help to promote water stewardship.

READ MORE: Community spirit is key with Tipperary’s Sláinte Social group

"In response to increased demand from groups to carry out larger water quality and protection projects, I’m delighted to announce this year’s allocation of more than €850,000, up €300,000 on last year.

"As well as promoting water stewardship and water quality, it enables local communities to play an active role in Ireland’s Water Action Plan," Deputy O'Sullivan said.

Director of Services for LAWPRO, Anthony Coleman said: “We are proud to be able to support community groups in their efforts to protect and improve local water quality.

"It’s essential that community groups have the opportunity to develop, so they can continue to deliver impactful projects and drive positive change in our water quality for future generations," he concluded.