Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1220. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if tidy towns grant funding can be awarded to groups (details supplied). [31320/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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l was delighted to be in a position to launch the 2021 Supervalu TidyTowns competition on 21st May last. The competition has been in existence since 1958 and continues to grow in popularity, with a record 924 entries received in 2019. TidyTowns Groups operate on a voluntary basis and the continued success of the competition is testament to the time and effort which volunteers, young and old, put in to the competition right across the country.

In recognition of the contribution which the TidyTowns Groups make to their local communities, grant funding of €1.4 million was made available by my Department to TidyTowns Committees in each of the years 2017, 2018 and 2019. This funding has allowed the Groups to better prepare for the annual competition through the purchase of small equipment and other materials.

Unfortunately, the 2020 competition did not proceed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, last December I announced funding of €1 million to help TidyTowns groups to prepare for this year's competition. This provided up to €1,000 for every eligible TidyTowns group in the country, and is being provided as a top-up to the funding allocated to these groups at the end of 2019.

If a Group participated in the competition in any of the years 2017, 2018 or 2019, the Group is eligible for the TidyTowns Grant. Eligible groups were contacted with details of how to apply for the extra funding. The closing date for applications was 19th March although some flexibility has been provided in this regard.

I understand that the one of the groups referred to by the Deputy, Ballymore TidyTowns, was eligible to receive the grant but did not submit an application. While the closing date for applications has passed, my Department is open to receiving an application from this group on an exceptional basis provided that the application for funding is submitted immediately. Officials from my Department will liaise directly with the group in this regard.

I further understand that the second group, Baylin TidyTowns, has not entered the competition since 2009. This Group is not eligble for funding as they must have entered the competition in at least one of the years 2017, 2018 or 2019.