Busy Mayo schedule today for MInister Ring
THE Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, will today participate in a number of events in Mayo.
At 1 p.m. this afternoon, Minister Ring will join his cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health Simon Harris, in opening the new Mayo Roscommon Hospice in Castlebar.
At 3.30 p.m, Minister Ring will address the “Embracing Diversity – A Future Together” seminar in Ballyhaunis.
At 8 p.m. this evening, Minister Ring will officially turn on the new floodlights at Islandeady GAA Club.
Speaking ahead of the opening of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice, Minister Ring said: “I am proud to be joined by Minister Harris in opening this beautiful new facility which will provide compassionate hospice and palliative care.
“We now have a hospice which will enable the excellent staff and volunteers to give the highest level of support and comfort to those who draw close to the end of life’s journey. As such, this hospice is a treasured asset for our community.
“The generosity and hard work of the people of Mayo and Roscommon has been remarkable and this exceptional hospice facility is a fitting testament to what has been a magnificent community effort.
"Over €9 million was raised in order to build the hospice, an effort which was spearheaded by the CEO, Martina Jennings, who deserves great praise.
“I am glad to have played a part in ensuring that the hospice was allocated supports under the government’s recently announced Budget.
"This will support the opening of 14 beds in 2020. This is in addition to the €300,000 funding for the hospice in 2019.”
Islandeady GAA Club was allocated a grant of €45,000 under the 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) towards the provision of floodlights for the club.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s event at the club, Minister Ring said: “It’s fantastic to see our sports clubs benefitting from top of the range facilities. Islandeady GAA is a wonderful community resource and these new floodlights lights will allow members to train and play well after night has fallen. This will be especially beneficial during those long winter evenings.
“The provision of floodlights will allow more training, more matches and more participation and follows on from the provision of a full size pitch, half size pitch and 1km walkway in recent years. The benefits of an investment such as this in terms of both physical and mental health for club members are incalculable.
“The Sports Capital Programme is the government's primary vehicle to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment.
"It has transformed the sporting landscape with improvements in the quality and quantity of sporting facilities in villages, towns and rural areas throughout Mayo and across the country. We are committed to ensuring this progress continues.”
Islandeady GAA Club has received a total of €145,000 under the Sports Capital Programme. In 2014, Minister Ring, in his then role as Minister for Tourism and Sport, allocated €100,000 for the club through the Sports Capital Programme."