Fine Gael TD for Kildare South Martin Heydon has this week highlighted the frustrations being experienced by community development groups in both Suncroft and Rathangan to Minister for the Environment and Local Government Phil Hogan. The frustrations have arisen due to delays in the confirmation of Leader funding of €500k each for community centre projects in both towns.
“I have had a number of meetings with Minister Hogan this week to stress the importance of the Suncroft and Rathangan projects. I have emphasized the huge amount of work by local volunteers, committees and Kildare Leader Partnership to bring the plans for both community centres to this stage, while also voicing the frustration that now exists with delays in the department finalising the Leader Funding applications.”
“The Minister is aware that significant funding has been raised locally for the completion of these developments to match the Leader funds which were expected. I told him that the delays are hugely frustrating as the communities had worked hard to meet all deadlines and were expected to be in construction at this stage.”
“The Minister has confirmed that a re-tender process is required in both cases but he has assured me that an extended time frame has been provided by the Department to facilitate this process. He has also confirmed that the applications will be dealt with as soon as the revised tender information is received”.
“I want to assure the communities of both Suncroft and Rathangan of my full commitment to these projects and that I will continue to fully engage with them and the Minister to ensure that the funding is secured as soon as possible.”