Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2019
522. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has considered allocating ring-fenced funding to Tidy Towns committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10431/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe TidyTowns competition was originally launched by Fáilte Ireland over 60 years ago. Since its inception, the competition has grown from 52 entrants in 1958, to 883 entrants in 2018.
As Minister for Rural and Community Development, I was delighted to be in a position to announce grant funding to TidyTowns Committees of €1.4 million for each of the years 2017 and 2018, to mark the 60th anniversary of the competition. This funding has allowed the Committees to prepare better for the annual competition through the purchase or upgrade of small equipment and other materials.
While there is no specific funding ring-fenced for TidyTowns Committees, it should be noted that TidyTowns Committees can apply, as community groups, for funding to other schemes within my Department, such as the Community Enhancement Programme. This programme is administered through the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), and allows applications for funding for the management and maintenance of estates.
In 2018, 158 applications were approved for funding of €536,816 to TidyTowns Committees under the Community Enhancement Programme.
