TidyTowns groups in Clare can still use funding allocated to them despite the cancellation of this year’s competition, Deputy Joe Carey announced today.
Last September, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring allocated €1.4 million to groups nationwide to assist them in their preparations for this year’s SuperValu TidyTowns competition.
Although this year’s event has been cancelled because of Covid-19, any unspent funds can still be used by the community groups.
Deputy Carey said: “I welcome the announcement that 44 TidyTowns groups in Clare will not lose out on funding of €54,000 which was earmarked for them by my colleague Minister Ring to help them prepare for this year’s competition.
“Any groups that have already spent the funds they received should retain their records of expenditure in the normal way.
“I also want to assure those groups which have not yet spent the funding they received, they can continue to use it over the next few months to assist with activities they might undertake as the COVID-19 restrictions are eased, or in preparing for the 2021 competition.”
“For decades, the SuperValu TidyTowns competition has brought people of all ages in Clare together to work collectively outdoors to make the environment in which they live and work a better place.
“Due to the current restrictions in place as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it would not have been feasible or safe for TidyTowns groups in Clare to continue their great tradition of work in the normal way.
“However, I very much hope that once the restrictions on gatherings are eased, and where possible within the public health guidelines, they can resume their work in making towns and villages in Clare more attractive and welcoming.
The following 44 Clare communities were allocated between €1,000 and €4,000 (based on population size) in order to support preparation for the 2020 competition;
| Ballynacally Tidy Towns Commitee | Clare | €1,000 |
| Ballyvaughan Community Development Group | Clare | €1,000 |
| Barefield Tidy Village | Clare | €1,000 |
| Bodyke Tidy Towns | Clare | €1,000 |
| Boston Community Group | Clare | €1,000 |
| Bridgetown Tidy Towns Association | Clare | €1,000 |
| Bunratty Local Development Association | Clare | €1,000 |
| Carrigaholt Tidy Towns | Clare | €1,000 |
| Clarecastle Tidy Towns | Clare | €2,000 |
| Connolly Tidy Towns | Clare | €1,000 |
| Cooraclare Tidy Towns | Clare | €1,000 |
| Corofin Tidy Towns Committee | Clare | €1,000 |
| Cranny Tidy Towns | Clare | €1,000 |
| Cross Tidy Towns | Clare | €1,000 |
| Doonbeg Tidy Towns | Clare | €1,000 |
| Dungarvan & District DA | Clare | €1,000 |
| Ennis Tidy Towns Committee | Clare | €4,000 |
| Ennistymon Tidy Towns Group | Clare | €1,000 |
| Kildysart Tidy Towns Committee | Clare | €1,000 |
| Kilkishen Tidy Towns | Clare | €1,000 |
| Killimer Tidy Villages | Clare | €1,000 |
| Kilmihil Tidy Towns Association | Clare | €1,000 |
| Kilmurry Tidy Towns | Clare | €1,000 |
| Kilrush Tidy Towns Committee | Clare | €2,000 |
| Knock Tidy Villages Committee | Clare | €1,000 |
| Labasheeda Community Pride | Clare | €1,000 |
| Lisdoonvarna Community Council | Clare | €1,000 |
| Miltown Malbay Tidy Towns | Clare | €1,000 |
| Mountshannon Tidy Towns | Clare | €1,000 |
| Mullagh Tidy village Committee | Clare | €1,000 |
| Newmarket on Fergus Tidy Towns | Clare | €2,000 |
| O’ Brien’s Bridge Development Association | Clare | €1,000 |
| Quin Tidy Towns | Clare | €2,000 |
| Ruan Tidy Towns | Clare | €1,000 |
| Scariff Community Council | Clare | €1,000 |
| Shannon Tidy Towns | Clare | €3,000 |
| Sixmilebridge Community Development | Clare | €2,000 |
| Spanish Point Community | Clare | €1,000 |
| Tuamgraney Development Association | Clare | €1,000 |
| Tulla Tidy Towns Committee | Clare | €1,000 |
| Whitegate Community Council | Clare | €1,000 |
| Broadford Tidy Towns | Clare | €1,000 |
| Clooney Spancilhill CDG | Clare | €1,000 |
| Cree Community Spirit | Clare | €1,000 |
Commenting on the announcement, Minister Ring said: “TidyTowns groups are magnificent custodians of their communities and I know that the money will be used for the betterment of our towns and villages. Over €4 million has been allocated to TidyTowns groups since I introduced this fund in 2017 to assist Tidy Towns groups in their wonderful work.
“I have no doubt that the SuperValu TidyTowns competition will be back again, bigger and brighter than ever in 2021.”