Match funding requirement places ‘real strain’ on Council resources
The requirement for County Councils to “match” funding allocated by Government departments for major projects places “a real strain” on resources according to the local Cathaoirleach.
Speaking at the announcement of €400,000 in funding for two Cavan projects last week, Cathaoirleach John Paul Feeley noted “the time, resources and investment required puts a real strain on a small local authority”.
The funding, made as part of the Government’s Shared Island Fund, was announced by Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Cavan Town Hall last week.
Two projects in Cavan received funding, totalling €400,000. Funding under such schemes require local authorities to “match funding”. Recent funding rounds, like the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Rural Regeneration Development Fund require Councils to put forward some of their own funds.
€450,000 was put forward by the Department towards a new play area at Dún an Rí Forest Park in Kingscourt, with Cavan County Council required to put forward €50,000 towards the cost.
Projects cannot progress without local authority funding being put forward.
Speaking at the latest Shared Island Fund announcement, Cathaoirleach Feeley said this places undue pressure on councils, particularly given their other responsibilities.
“Small local authorities such as our own have very limited resources to prepare plans for major projects such as these.
“It would be a very welcome development, including from a governance and accountability perspective, if these two material disadvantages could be given detailed further consideration when allocating funding.”
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