The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, and the Government Chief Whip and the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers TD, made the announcement. The money is to be allocated throughout the counties of Galway, Kerry, Donegal and Mayo.
The grants are being approved under the Department's Community and Language Supports Programme in order to support various Gaeltacht organisations and clubs in carrying out renovation works in addition to purchasing equipment.
In the Donegal Gaeltacht, 10 specific grants totalling over €130,000 have been approved for various capital projects.
In the Galway Gaeltacht, 8 specific grants have been approved for various capital projects, including an allocation of €424,462 for the development of a community centre on Inis Meáin. It is worth noting that the funding for this project is in line with the commitment given in the National Development Plan (Project 2040) and is in addition to the €31,880 previously approved by the Department in respect of consultancy costs – bringing the total allocation for the project to over €455,000.
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In the south Kerry Gaeltacht, over €20,000 has been allocated for equipment at CLG Naomh Mícheál and two specific grants totalling over €13,000 are being allocated for various capital projects in the Mayo Gaeltacht.
All details relating to the grant allocations are outlined below.
Minister Martin said: The announcement highlights my Department's commitment to improving Irish language services which are provided in Gaeltacht areas. We all owe the relentless service provided by these committees and organisations to their communities on a voluntary basis a great deal, particularly in these challenging times, and their level of commitment is to be commended. Minister of State Chambers and I are proud to be able to help them in their efforts."
Minister of State Chambers said: "In order for the language planning process - which is underway at the moment - to thrive, support must be given to Gaeltacht communities in a practical way so they can bring their own ambitions to fruition. I am personally delighted, as is Minister Martin, to support them in achieving this."
