Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the decision by the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan TD to approve and allocation of almost €500,000 towards the construction of a new community centre in Castlemahon. “I am delighted for the community of Feohanagh and Castlemahon, this is a major announcement for them and is a massive investment for both current and future generations in the area.”
Patrick O’Donovan said that the announcement by the Minister comes after a long process led by the local community to provide a centre in the parish of Feohanagh-Castlemahon that would serve as a focal point for the whole community and would allow for indoor games, activities, PE for the local national school, night courses, meetings, concerts, dramas and parish events. “This is a fantastic announcement for the parish of Feohanagh-Castlemahon and I have no doubt but that the entire community will, as they have shown up to now, be well capable of delivering, and managing, what is a very significant project in West Limerick. This announcement will also be an important for employment in the parish during the construction of the centre and will create additional activity in the heart of the village of Castlemahon.”
Patrick O’Donovan paid tribute to all those in the community who had led the initiative at local level and he praised their professionalism and commitment as volunteers, which was mentored, supported and helped in every way by the board and staff members of West Limerick Resources Ltd.
The total budget in the rural development programme for 2013 is €105million and speaking after allocating the funds to Castlemahon, Minister Phil Hogan said that the “It is critically important that communities continue to come up with ideas that will reinvigorate their localities and avail of the resources available to develop all aspects of their communities into the future.”
The total amount allocated to the community centre in Castlemahon is €499,670.29 and final approval for the project to proceed will be made by the board of West Limerick Resources Ltd.