LOCAL AUTHORITIES ARE to receive almost €3 million in funding as part of a “Public Area Enhancement” scheme.

However, 25 per cent of the funding must be matched by the authority, and the work must be already planned.

Minister for the Environment, Community, and Local Government Phil Hogan announced the move today, and outlined that the funding is aimed at work such as supporting the Tidy Towns competition, improving public parks, cleaning graveyards, and making derelict buildings safe.

The Minister noted that due to severe weather earlier this year it might have been “difficult” for local authorities to maintain public spaces.

“This additional, once-off fund is being provided to support local authorities’ efforts to prepare and maintain their public areas in an effort to maximise the economic benefits that can flow from increased visitors to their towns, cities and counties,” he said.

Here’s who will get what:

9 local authorities have been allocated €105,000

Dublin City, Cork County, Fingal, South Dublin, Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown, Kildare, Meath, Galway County, and Donegal.

14 have been allocated €90,000

Kerry, Wexford, Wicklow, Limerick, Mayo, Louth, Cork City, Clare, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Westmeath, Laois, Offaly, and Galway City.

11 have been allocated €70,000

Cavan, North Tipperary, Waterford County, Sligo County, Roscommon, Monaghan, Limerick City, Carlow, Waterford City, Longford, and Leitrim.

The Office of Public Works announced earlier this month that €19.6 million would made available to local authorities to include coastal protection and flood defences.

More: Here’s the breakdown of €20m for flood repairs across the country >

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