A once-off funding opportunity from Healthy Ireland is designed to make community walking tracks located on GAA grounds in Kildare more accessible to more people, Kildare South TD and Minister Martin Heydon has said.
Minister Heydon was speaking in relation to funding of €800,000 which will be focused on enhancing existing walking tracks on GAA grounds to ensure they are more accessible to those with mobility issues, older persons, and wheelchair users.
Minister Heydon said: “This announcement from my Fine Gael colleague and Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan, will encourage people to utilise the fantastic facilities right on their doorstep. I encourage all GAA clubs in Kildare with existing walking tracks to take advantage of this funding opportunity.
“Our GAA clubs are at the heart of the locality and generate a real sense of community spirit here in Kildare. The grants available will allow for the upgrading or installation of lighting, designed to prolong the hours of usage which will prove essential during this cold and dark winter for those who would still like to get their training in.
“The funding will be determined via a competitive application process and is open to all GAA, LGFA, and Camogie clubs in Kildare with an existing walking track.
“As a proud Kildare GAA supporter, I look forward to the impact this will have in our local communities as the appetite for safe secure walking spaces continues to grow. Accessibility and safety are at the core of this upgrade and underpins the work being conducted by Healthy Ireland. Fine Gael is committed to delivering stronger, safer communities across Ireland and this funding will ensure that local Kildare communities will have access to safe facilities, and will reap the consequent health and wellbeing benefits,” concluded Minister Heydon.