Three Clare Community projects receive funds

CLARE Accessible Transport Limited are set to benefit from funding of more than €100,000, as it is confirmed that the Government has approved a funding offer for three community projects in the county.

Minister for Social Protection, Eamon Ó Cuív this week approved the offer of three years funding under the Community Services Programme for Clare Accessible Transport Limited with funding of €108,132, East Clare Community Co-op Society who will receive €38,066, and Lisdoonvarna Fáilte Ltd who will receive funding of €38,066.
Laura Ward, of Clare Accessible Transport said they are delighted to hear that their CSP funding has been approved for 2011.
“The rural transport services are dependent on this funding. It runs the call centre that takes the bookings and supports our services. Without this funding, the buses would grind to a halt,” she said.
Minister for Defence and Clare TD, Tony Killeen commented, “The Community Services Programme aims to support local community activity, to address disadvantage and provide local employment opportunities for certain groups of people.
“The programme currently provides funding to a number of community services and businesses in Clare, including community childcare services, services for older people and those with disabilities and environmental projects. For example, €170,000 was allocated last month for the operation of the Michael Cusack Centre in Carron. Elsewhere, Obair Environment Services Ltd. (€222,330) and Obair Newmarket-on-Fergus Ltd. (€38,066) also received funding two weeks ago.
“In order to qualify for funding under the Community Service Programme, organisations must operate on a not-for-profit basis. They must also recruit unemployed people to work in the project,” the minister concluded.
At present, the Community Services Programme supports 2,700 people in employment, delivers a wide range of essential services and generates significant additional funds to the support and development of service providers across the country.