Latest news with #FrankFeighan
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Funding announced for Sligo Folk Park autism friendly sensory garden and wheelchair accessible paths
Deputy Frank Feighan has welcomed the funding. 'Strong social enterprises are important for our local communities and play a crucial role in creating jobs, addressing social challenges, and fostering a more inclusive society, so I'm delighted to see this significant funding of the 5 social enterprises in Co. Sligo. 'The purpose of this fund is to provide capital grant supports to assist social enterprises across Ireland to achieve their social, environmental, or economic objectives.' Riverstown Enterprise Development (Sligo) Ltd. Sligo has been allocated €95,802.05 to fund the installation of wheelchair appropriate pathways throughout the park and install an autism friendly sensory garden to improve inclusivity for individuals with additional needs. County Sligo Heritage & Genealogy Society Sligo will receive €4,853.00 for improvements of ICT equipment to provide safety and sustainability of database. The €15,000 earmarked for Cherryswan CLG Sligo will be used to fund essential maintenance of the hall floor to ensure it is accessible for all users. Sligo Social Services Sligo is to receive €14,869 to fund the transition to reusable dishes for a meals on wheels service which will create energy and resource efficiencies to sustain the social enterprise by reducing expenditure and to reduce the impact on the environment in the provision of the meals on wheels service. Meanwhile, Ox Mountain Development Co. Ltd. Sligo will used the €13,775 allocated to fund the purchase of a compact oven to improve the menu to offer hot food options. 'We have all seen the invaluable work carried out by social enterprises across Sligo and I am delighted to see support for these vital organisations. 'In particular, I welcome funding for Riverstown Enterprise Development (Sligo) Ltd. throughout the community we know how hard they work, and this funding will go a long way to supporting them carry out their essential work. 'The funding announced will help encourage and sustain strong social enterprise in Co. Sligo the funding is clear evidence of Fine Gael and Minister Jerry Buttimer's commitment to supporting this important sector,' concluded Deputy Feighan. The funding has also been welcomed by Junior Minister Marian Harkin. She commended the range and vision of the projects supported in this round of funding, noting that they reflect the innovation and commitment of local social enterprises in addressing real community needs. She emphasised the importance of continued government investment in this sector, particularly given its strong track record of fostering social cohesion, generating local employment, and delivering services that otherwise might not be available in rural or disadvantaged areas. She added that this investment is aligned with the goals of the 'Trading for Impact' strategy, part of Ireland's second National Social Enterprise Policy, which was launched in July 2024. This policy sets out a clear vision to cultivate and sustain a vibrant social enterprise sector through actions that build awareness, promote growth, support the green transition, strengthen national and international engagement, and enhance impact measurement.
Irish Independent
28-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Autism friendly sensory garden amongst projects grant aided in Sligo
Deputy Frank Feighan has welcomed the funding. 'Strong social enterprises are important for our local communities and play a crucial role in creating jobs, addressing social challenges, and fostering a more inclusive society, so I'm delighted to see this significant funding of the 5 social enterprises in Co. Sligo. 'The purpose of this fund is to provide capital grant supports to assist social enterprises across Ireland to achieve their social, environmental, or economic objectives. The full list of successful applicants are as follows, Riverstown Enterprise Development (Sligo) Ltd. Sligo €95,802.05 To fund the installation of wheelchair appropriate pathways throughout the park and install an Autism Friendly Sensory Garden to improve inclusivity for individuals with additional needs. County Sligo Heritage & Genealogy Society Sligo €4,853.00 – To fund improvements of ICT equipment to provide safety and sustainability of database. Cherryswan CLG Sligo €15,000.00 -To fund essential maintenance of the hall floor to ensure it is accessible for all users. Sligo Social Services Sligo – €14,869.00 To fund the transition to reusable dishes for a meals on wheels service which will create energy and resource efficiencies to sustain the social enterprise by reducing expenditure and to reduce the impact on the environment in the provision of the meals on wheels service. Ox Mountain Development Co. Ltd. Sligo €13,775.00 – To fund the purchase of a compact oven to improve the menu to offer hot food options. 'We have all seen the invaluable work carried out by social enterprises across Sligo and I am delighted to see support for these vital organisations. 'In particular, I welcome funding for Riverstown Enterprise Development (Sligo) Ltd. throughout the community we know how hard they work, and this funding will go a long way to supporting them carry out their essential work. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'The funding announced will help encourage and sustain strong social enterprise in Co. Sligo the funding is clear evidence of Fine Gael and Minister Jerry Buttimer's commitment to supporting this important sector,' concluded Deputy Feighan. The funding has also been welcomed by Junior Minister Marian Harkin. She commended the range and vision of the projects supported in this round of funding, noting that they reflect the innovation and commitment of local social enterprises in addressing real community needs. She emphasised the importance of continued government investment in this sector, particularly given its strong track record of fostering social cohesion, generating local employment, and delivering services that otherwise might not be available in rural or disadvantaged areas. She added that this investment is aligned with the goals of the 'Trading for Impact' strategy, part of Ireland's second National Social Enterprise Policy, which was launched in July 2024. This policy sets out a clear vision to cultivate and sustain a vibrant social enterprise sector through actions that build awareness, promote growth, support the green transition, strengthen national and international engagement, and enhance impact measurement.
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Various Sligo heritage projects receive grant aid
The Heritage Council is distributing more than €1.9 million through the Scheme this year to support 132 heritage initiatives across Ireland. These grants will enable local communities to conserve and celebrate Ireland's built, cultural, and natural heritage. The allocation follows a national call for applications in February, which attracted hundreds of proposals from heritage groups, volunteers, and community organisations across the country. The funding recipients in Sligo are as follows: Riverstown Enterprise Development Sligo Ltd, €25,000 Seefin Heritage Group, €9,266 Enniscrone & District Community Development CLG, €16,851 Tireragh Community Support Ltd, €5,859 Rosses Point Church of Ireland, €10,000 Skreen Parish Church, €25,000 St. Mary's GAA Club, €2,350 Achonry Mullinabreena Community Enhancement CLG, €5,408 Taunagh Select Vestry, €16,883 The €25,000 received by the Riverstown Enterprise Development Sligo Ltd. will contribute to a multifaceted effort towards the preservation of the Countess Markievicz Exhibit in Sligo that involves several locations around the county which have connections to the countess' life, including an exhibition in Sligo County Library and Lissadell House, where she spent her childhood. Another key project is funding for the preservation of mediaeval Skreen Church, graveyard, and box tombs. Historic graveyards play an important role in the cultural life of Irish people and represents the focal point in the historical life of a parish. Projects such as these reflect the wide range of initiatives supported by the scheme — from safeguarding historic structures to researching local heritage, restoring habitats, and building biodiversity expertise within communities. A full list of funded projects is available from here. All funded projects can begin work immediately and are expected to be completed by the end of the year. Previous recipients in Sligo have used this funding to restore architectural features, digitise local archives, and carry out conservation training — strengthening both the preservation of heritage and the local economy. Deputy Frank Feighan congratulated the successful project applicants which present a variety of heritage conservation projects which hopefully include safeguarding historic structures to researching local heritage, restoring habitats, and building biodiversity expertise within communities.
Irish Independent
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Northern Ireland and UK spokesperson role for Sligo/Leitrim TD Frank Feighan
An Taoiseach said: 'Deputy Feighan takes on this role for Fine Gael in a challenging geopolitical environment. With regards to Northern Ireland, we make the greatest progress when our two Governments work together, particularly to support peace, prosperity and reconciliation on this island. 'At the recent Ireland-UK summit, we committed to work together on conflict prevention, peacebuilding, sustainable development and climate action. Deputy Feighan has demonstrated his experience in building and maintaining important and enduring relationships and I wish him success in his new role. Deputy Frank Feighan, a former Junior Minister, said: 'I'm delighted to have been asked to take on this responsibility by the Tánaiste. In working through the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and in developing relationships with my UK counterparts, I look forward to a particularly fruitful period of partnership and cooperation in the service of people across these islands.'
