Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have fond memories of my trip to Moate, the wonderful Moate Performing and Visual Arts Club and all the young people out and about on the Saturday morning. I remember it well. I know the area has a great local community arts group in them. I visited Moate during a trip to Westmeath last year and I was back in Moate again when the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Michael Ring, and I launched the action plan for rural development.

The Moate Performing and Visual Arts Club is a perfect example of what we want to see as part of the Creative Ireland programme. It is about young people and creative children who are engaging in the arts in our local communities. That is what I want to see. I am glad to tell the Deputy that the club has been awarded a grant of €16,557, under the final tranche of funding of stream 3 of my Department's arts and culture capital scheme. That will support them in putting in a new heating system - I have to admit that it was very cold there last Saturday morning - and to replace windows, along with other important work they need to do. I will make an official announcement later this evening about this funding, but I thought I would share it with Deputy Burke now.

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