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Heather Humphreys, Minister for Rural and Community Development has announced details of the projects that have been approved for funding under the second round of the enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme that supports towns and villages to respond and adapt to COVID-19. The focus of the funding is on measures and interventions that help towns and villages to adapt to social distancing requirements and to provide safe environments that encourage people into towns and villages to shop and socialise. Longford County Council Regeneration department are happy to announce that the following towns and villages have received funding.

The Department of Rural and Community Development in partnership with local authority Broadband Officers (BBOs) and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE), has identified approximately 300 sites around the country to act as Broadband Connection Points (BCPs).

In advance of homes and businesses receiving future-proofed broadband directly to their door, a network of Broadband Connection Points will provide vital high-speed broadband access at locations within the amber area of the National Broadband plan.

Broadband Connection Points (or BCPs) are public locations which have been selected to receive 150Mb high-speed broadband connectivity in the first year (2020) of the National Broadband Plan.

BCP locations at schools are for educational access only, all other BCP’s will provide free public access for high-speed broadband connectivity. People living in the general area will then be able to access this broadband for their necessary requirements.

This project is well underway and NBI have surveyed all BCP locations in Longford.  The first of these will open in Longford in the next month or two.

Dept. Rural and Community Dev Press Release

Ministers Humphreys, Donnelly and O’Brien announce third tranche of COVID-19 Stability Funding

• €11 million support package to benefit 209 organisations
• Funding aimed at providing immediate assistance to community and voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises
• Cash injections for organisations that provide critical services to those most vulnerable in society

Some 209 organisations across the country are to benefit from €11 million worth of funding under the Covid-19 Stability Fund.

The funding was announced today by Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development and the Islands, Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD.

The funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund is designed to support community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises that are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Once-off cash injections of between €2,000 and €200,000 are being awarded to qualifying organisations that provide critical services to those most vulnerable in society.

This will help with short term cash flow issues caused by the COVID-19 crisis.

This includes organisations from both phase 1 and 2 (unincorporated charities) of the fund and is on top of two previous tranches of the funding announced in June and July 2020 that benefitted 276 organisations amounting to €14.1m in funding.

These organisations provide services in a diverse range of areas including disability services, health and wellbeing services, community supports, active retirement and elder care services as well as a range of social services and supports for disadvantaged individuals and communities.

Some of the successful applicants today include:

• Society of the St Vincent De Paul Ireland €200,000
• St Lukes Charity & Northridge House Education & Business Centre €192,733
• Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre €87,932
• Sligo Centre for Independent Living €53,240
• Comharchumann Forbartha an Leith Triuigh Teoranta €34,270 
• Community Radio Castlebar €27,689

Minister Humphreys said:

“I am delighted to join with my colleagues, Ministers Donnelly and O’Brien, to announce a further tranche of funding – totalling €11 million – under the COVID 19 Stability Fund. I am very aware of the valuable contribution of the Community and Voluntary sector in general. This is particularly the case as Ireland navigates its way through this pandemic.

“I hope that this funding will help to support these organisations to continue to provide their valuable services to the people most in need and support individuals and communities as we work our way through the impact of the pandemic.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers and community workers across the country who are providing their services in difficult circumstances ensuring that all our citizens are supported through this very difficult time and I look forward to the day when I can thank you in person.”

Minister Donnelly said:

“I am pleased to announce this latest tranche of funding under the COVID 19 Stability Fund together with my colleagues, Ministers Humphreys and O’Brien.

“Community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises play a vital role in our society, and their volunteers and workers are incredibly dedicated. Many of them have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to support and help people across Ireland and this funding will help them to continue in this work. Along with my colleagues in the Department of Health, Minister Butler, Minister Feighan and Minister Rabbitte, I welcome these additional resources which will help these organisations to continue their valuable work.”

Joe O’Brien TD, Minister for State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities added:

“I would like to add to what my colleagues Ministers Humphreys and Donnelly have said and express my gratitude to all of the organisations around the country that are helping our most marginalised and disadvantaged.

“Their work is critical as we try and manage our way through this pandemic and the impact of it. I hope this funding will provide some level of support to allow organisations to continue to provide their valuable services and supports to individuals and communities all over the country.”

Due to the considerable interest in the COVID-19 Stability Fund and in order to ensure that funding is released as quickly as possible, applicants are being considered in smaller groupings and the funding being announced today is the third tranche. There remains a small number of organisations that have applied for funding where further checks are ongoing. Additional tranches will be announced shortly.

A full list of successful applicants under Tranche three is available here.

Cathaoirligh and Leas Cathaoirligh elected at 2020 Annual Meetings.

Longford County Council

Annual Meeting held on 26th June 2020.

Cathaoirleach  – Councillor Paul Ross.

Leas Cathaoirleach – Councillor Turlough McGovern.

Granard Municipal District

Annual Meeting held on 23^rd June 2020

Cathaoirleach – Councillor Garry Murtagh

Leas Cathaoirleach – Councillor Turlough McGvern

Ballymahon Municipal District

Annual Meeting held on 18^th June 2020.

Cathaoirleach – Councillor Colm Murray.

Leas Cathaoirleach – Councillor Mick Cahill.

Longford Municipal District

Annual Meeting held on  24^th June 2020

Cathaoirleach – Councillor Peggy Nolan

Leas Cathaoirleach – Councillor Uruemu Adejinmi

County Longford has beautiful natural resources which are sustained, valued and protected. It is rich in history, values, culture and traditions and is inclusive of all people supporting community participation and volunteerism. It has adequate services, supports, facilities, infrastructure and a thriving diverse economy.

Granard Municipal District has an outstanding natural environment with a strong inclusive community that values its history, culture and traditions while being open to others. The active partnership of the community and statutory structures ensures a high quality of life. There is appropriate housing for all people with access to community spaces, services and support. The thriving economy enables the community to live in dignity.

Ballymahon Municipal District includes the Shannon and Inny Rivers, Royal Canal, Corelea Bog, areas of natural beauty. This district values community participation and volunteerism. It promotes physical and mental health, adequate services and supports for all including carers. It has a thriving, diverse economy with appropriate and affordable housing for all.

Longford Municipal District is open, accessible and inclusive regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or ability. Its governance structures engage transparently and effectively with the community when developing policies and projects.

The Longford MD supports the quality of life and ongoing physical and mental health of the community through the provision of appropriate housing, services, supports, facilities and education for everyone. Community action is recognised and valued. Renewable energy is developed to sustain the community. There are clean waterways and rivers and the Longford section of the Royal Canal is re-opened and accessible to all. Longford MD is a centre of employment and tourism opportunities for the whole county.