The Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, has today announced €50,000 funding for Clare County Council to support Christmas events and initiatives across the county.
Last month Minister Alan Dillon invited funding proposals from local authorities along the western seaboard, in recognition of the unique challenges faced in these counties.
The Minister has now confirmed funding of €50,000 for each of Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway City and County, Clare, Limerick and Kerry.
While much of the funding will support Christmas lighting and markets across the region, there will also be support for other more unusual initiatives, such as an ice rink in Sligo and outdoor movies in Mayo. All schemes have the common objective of enhancing the festive atmosphere in rural towns and villages, thereby encouraging people to shop local and support their town centres in the run up to Christmas.
Clare County Council will spend the allocation on five different schemes in the Ennis area. Schemes include lighting for Christmas markets, a projector to screen festive images, lighting for trees and other contemporary lighting for O’Connell Street.
Announcing the final allocations today, Minister Dillon said: “Christmas is a special time of year for every community. I am delighted my Department received a very positive response to this ‘Christmas Support’ proposal, and such a number of local initiatives were put forward for funding. I am delighted to confirm that each of the local authorities along the western seaboard will receive funding for festive events that will encourage people to shop local this Christmas.”
Clare County Council will spend the allocation on five different schemes in the Ennis area. Schemes include lighting for Christmas markets, a projector to screen festive images, lighting for trees and other contemporary lighting for O’Connell Street.
Local Government Fund
The money is being allocated from the Local Government Fund (LGF), which was established in 1999 and is used to fund local authorities, primarily through Local Property Tax allocations. Every year there is a separate allocation from the exchequer to fund a number of projects and initiatives across the Local Government Sector.