Wicklow County Council is set to receive €1,600,845 to develop seven community projects across the county under the Government’s Community Recognition Fund.
The Community Recognition Fund is a major initiative designed to specifically support communities across the country that are hosting people from Ukraine and other countries.
The funding has been allocated across all local authorities based on the number of new arrivals located there.
The Fund, administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development, follows an extensive consultation process with local authorities who submitted their individual list of projects for approval.
A total of €50m was awarded to Council projects across the country by Minister Heather Humphrey’s Department. This includes €1.6m for the Wicklow projects.
The towns of Baltinglass, Rathdrum and Greystones will see the development of community parks while Wicklow town will benefit from a place-making project which includes the refurbishment of the Assembly Hall and improvements to the seafront.
Arklow Town’s project will see a playing pitch and landscaping project in the Seaview Avenue amenity area which will complement the facilities already there.
Bray will receive a sum of €490,000 towards the development of two Community Centres in the town.
Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, said: “This exceptional investment will help the council to develop and enhance some of the fantastic facilities in our communities so more and more people can access and enjoy them. It also recognises the great Wicklow welcome afforded to almost 3,000 refugees by communities across the county”.
The communities in the towns of Bray, Baltinglass, Wicklow, Rathdrum, Greystones and Arklow welcomed and continue to host displaced refugees and this investment of €1.6m is a recognition of the support received from these communities.
In welcoming the announcement, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Tommy Annesley, added: “This funding will make a huge difference to the development of community amenities in the county and I want to thank Minister Humphreys and the Department of Rural and community development officials for their continued support for Wicklow”.