Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2019
444. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has considered allocating ring-fenced funding to tidy towns committees in view of the recent tidy towns results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41018/19]
View answerThe SuperValu Tidy Towns competition this year attracted more than 900 entries. The competition goes from strength to strength each year based on the enthusiasm, energy and commitment of volunteer committees around the country.
In each of the last two years, I provided grant funding of €1.4 million to Tidy Towns Committees to support their efforts, and to enable them to purchase small equipment and other materials for their work.
I was delighted to be in a position to announce further grant funding of €1.4 million to Tidy Towns Committees at the national awards ceremony in The Helix theatre on 30th September. My officials will be in contact with the Committees shortly regarding the grant application process.
It should be noted that Tidy Towns Committees can also apply, as community groups, for funding to other schemes within my Department, such as the Community Enhancement Programme. 158 Tidy Town Committees were approved for funding totalling €536,816 under this scheme in 2018.
