John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am aware that Tidy Towns committees can apply under the general scheme, but I was taken by the fact the Minister had a specific scheme for men's sheds. Tidy Towns is a national organisation which impacts positively in every community throughout the country. It would be worthwhile if there was an annual grants scheme which, for very small money, would have a huge impact. I encourage the Minister to look at such a scheme. Before I came into the Chamber, I looked at the results in my area for the Tidy Towns committees that had entered the national competition this year in Clondalkin, Lucan, Newcastle and Palmerston. Each one of them has improved its score every year and people living in the area can see the value of it. With it comes pride of place. While I acknowledge committees can apply under the general scheme, I encourage the Minister to consider a designated scheme similar to the one for men's sheds specifically to develop Tidy Towns on a national basis.

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