The Minister for Rural and Community Development says his “door is always open” regarding funding opportunities following a major Government investment in a Clare lifeboat service.
Fianna Fáil Minister Dara Calleary has made a trip to Clare where he’s visited some of the projects supported by the Community Recognition Fund.
The Community Recognition Fund was introduced in 2023 to recognise the efforts made by communities across Ireland who’ve hosted a high proportion of Ukrainian refugees.
In the funding round announced in June of last year, projects in Clare received a combined €806,000.
One of those was Bunratty Search and Rescue Service, which was granted €86,000 for the purchase of one new lifeboat and the refurbishment of another.
An event marking the impact of the funding has been held at the service’s base in Bunratty where its public relations officer, John Lyons, spoke of the dependence of its activities on year-round fundraising.
He says they wouldn’t have been able to acquire the much-needed equipment without Government support.
During his trip to Clare, Minister Calleary also went to Lahinch and Corofin where he saw the new playground and community hall funded by the scheme.
Speaking in Bunratty, he said he’s not ruling out further supports from his department to Bunratty Search and Rescue Service in the future.
Listen to the full interview here
