Funding to tackle social exclusion in disadvantaged Mayo communities

TWENTY-nine community groups based in Mayo have received funding through the RAPID scheme totalling €64,500. RAPID is focused on tackling social exclusion in disadvantaged communities.

The groups receiving the funds include Knock Community Futures, Luisne Art Project, Youth Booth, The Maple Youth Centre, Ballinrobe Community Development Council, Claremorris Chamber, Ballyhaunis Chamber, Achill Jujitsu, Ionad Cultura Ais – Acla Teo, Irish Wheelchair Association Erris Branch, Order of Malta Bellmullet - Erris Unit, Newport Men’s Shed, Louisburg Foróige, Scounting Ireland (25th Mayo), Westport GAA Bord na nÓg, Westport Sports Complex, Westport Tidy Towns, Ballina Tidy Towns, Moyne College, Ballina Chamber of Commerce, Foxford Community Garden, Foxford Foróige Club, Involve Youth Project, Ballina Community Centre, Irish Wheelchair Association, Balla Community Resources Development CLG, Belcarra Community Council, Linenhall Arts Centre, Mayo Travellers Support Group, Kiltimagh Historical Society.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring stated: “I’m delighted to see these 29 communities in Mayo benefit from this funding. I believe it is at community level that we can begin to make change by giving vital support to well integrated, locally owned initiatives. That is what RAPID is about.

“I am delighted to be able to deliver on this key commitment in the Programme for Government. RAPID provides support to groups which are tackling social exclusion and helps improve the quality of life for residents in disadvantaged communities.

"By making funding available through programmes like this, the government is showing its belief in the value of all our communities and the importance of investing in projects aimed specifically at addressing disadvantage.

“RAPID will support disadvantaged communities right throughout the country and the local authorities and Local Community Development Committees play a vital role in delivering this programme. I believe that they are ideally placed to identify the applications which most suitably address the programme’s target groups and issues in their own administrative areas.”

The allocations are as follows: