Minister highlights €25 million social investment in Longford

The importance of volunteers in developing community enterprise was highlighted when a front bench Minister paid a visit to Longford.

Minister for Rural and Community Development and Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, commended the work of Longford County Council in assisting community groups to access funding for local projects.

Almost €25 million has been invested in 214 projects in County Longford under RRDF, TVRS, ORIS and CLÁR since 2016. The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund has provided €13.2 million for six local projects, while The Town and Village Renewal Scheme has funded 57 projects in Longford since the introduction of the scheme in 2016 to the tune of just under €4 million.

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme saw €4.6 million granted in support to 56 projects in the county, while Longford's CLÁR allocation is over €2.7 million supporting 95 projects.
Minister Humphreys highlighted the State support for the projects at the opening of the Yard Hub in Abbeyshrule.

Speaking to the Leader the Minister praised the work that brought the social enterprise to completion: “This is an amazing project. I am absolutely delighted to be here for the official opening of The Yard Hub in Abbeyshrule. This project is about repurposing an old building, bringing it back into 21st century use. It's going to be used as an enterprise and remote working centre. I am delighted that under my department we have been able to fund it to the tune of €840,000.

“That's a significant investment, but we also needed the work of the council to make it happen. I want to commend the work of the local County Council. They worked collaboratively with Waterways Ireland to acquire this property,” Minister Humphreys said.

The Community Development Minister noted the contribution of the local volunteers: “I want to say to the directors of this centre “well done”. They had a vision, they worked their way through it, they applied for the funding. I am absolutely delighted to be here for the official opening.”
The challenge for community groups is navigating the funding applications process. Minister Humphreys offered advice: “It's about working with your local representatives, working with your local authority. Get that application in. Get it up the line to my department. I am delighted to be joined here today by Senator Michael Carrigy and Deputy Joe Flaherty. They know what they need in their local area.

“The applications come into my department and are assessed. Sometimes they don't get approved the first time, but the applications must be made, don't get disheartened if they don't make it the first time,” the Minister advised.

Community support was identified by the Minister as a vital part of any social enterprise: “We want to help volunteers realise their ambition for their area. Put a plan together, decide what you want. Be realistic, but also be ambitious.
“Consider doing it in stages, working with the local authority. They have staff skilled in putting together those applications. It's all about engaging and having conversations with the wider community. This is a bottom up approach, you must have buy-in from the community,” Minister Humphreys concluded.