€1.5m for welcoming Wexford communities

By Dan Walsh

The Department of Rural and Community Development is providing €50 million to support communities across the country “that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries” and Wexford County Council has been allocated €1,509,870 from the fund.

The funding is specifically targeted at those villages and towns in the county where the highest levels of new arrivals are located and where a clear need for investment is identified.

Chief Executive Tom Enright said; “the fund will support a diverse range of projects across Wexford, delivering facilities that will benefit people of all ages in their own communities including improvements to playground facilities, walking tracks, community gardens and other community infrastructure.’  

The projects will be delivered by community organisations in conjunction with Wexford County Council. Cathaoirleach, Cllr. George Lawlor said “he was not surprised that Wexford received the full allocation from this fund which acknowledges the efforts of local communities in welcoming people from Ukraine and other countries and helping them to adjust and integrate into everyday life in Wexford.”

The fund was launched in County Hall, Wexford, yesterday (Tuesday) attended by recipient groups. Leas-Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr. Michael Whelan said, “the people of Wexford have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries into our towns and villages and it is great to see these communities being rewarded for their commitment under the Community Recognition Fund.’

In Wexford, the areas with the highest numbers of new arrivals from Ukraine and other countries are Rosslare, New Ross, Enniscorthy, Courtown, Gorey, Wexford, Bunclody and Kilmuckridge.

The funding was allocated as follows: ENNISCORTHY DISTRICT; Enniscorthy Community Allotments Geodesic Dome for Training Centre €20,000.

Templeshannon Community and Childcare LTD Energy Efficient upgrade for heating system for centre €38,308.

Enniscorthy District Purchase of two special needs bicycles €12,000.

St. Aidan’s Hall, Bunclody. Improvements to the Community Centre. €30,000.

Wexford County Council Amenity project at Bellefield, Enniscorthy. €110,000.

GOREY-KILMUCKRIDGE DISTRICT. Riverchapel Community Freecycle committee. Equipment for the centre at Riverchapel Community Complex. €5,000.

Riverchapel Community Complex Development Group. Extension to the community indoor facility at the Riverchapel Community Complex. €120,000.

Ballycanew-Ballyoughter Community Development Association. Improvments to the Training facility at Ballycanew. €20,000.

Gorey Family Resource Centre. Development of facilities at new Family Resource Centre building in Gorey. €63,278.

Phase 1 development of playground at Kilmuckridge village. €75,000.

Upgrade to heating system at Kilmuckridge Community Centre, €25,000.

NEW ROSS DISTRICT; Templeudigan Parish.

Refurbishment of play equipment at community park. €4,000.

St. Abban’s National School Community Garden Development of community garden. €20,000.

Sensory garden at Pearse Park, The Quay, New Ross. €30,000.

New Ross Fethard Community Development Association. Community garden at designated site adjacent to national school. €30,000.

St James GAA Club Refurbishment of walking track €20,000.

36th Ramsgrange Scouts. Scout Yard upgrade. €5,000.

Fethard Community Development Association. Improvements to the Community Centre – St. Mary’s Hall. €122,703.

Duncannon AFC Redevelopment of club grounds €40,000.

ROSSLARE DISTRICT. Public realm improvements   including bus shelter/public lighting/safe crossing at Killinick. €85,000.

Write By The Sea -Audio Visual equipment in Stella Maris Centre, Kilmore Quay. €4,000.

Rosslare Harbour Development Board CLG. Additional resource rooms at back of Community Resource Centre at Rosslare Harbour. €200,129.

Cois Barry Community House. Updating of toilets at Cois Barry Community House. €10,000.

Wexford County Council Redevelopment of the Playground at Kilmore Quay. €145,000.

WEXFORD DISTRICT. Wexford Co Council New MUGA at Ferndale Park adjacent to new proposed Boxing Club. €100,000.

Wexford County Council Trail improvement works at The Rocks in Maudlintown. €94,858.

Wexford Access 2000 Energy Improvements to building €5,000.