Grants of between €1,000 and €4,000 have been awarded to 23 Tidy Towns groups across County Laois.
Groups who entered the SuperValu TidyTowns competition in 2021 or 2022 were eligible to apply for the funding.
Portlaoise received €4,000 while Portarlington was granted €3,000.
€2,000 is going to Stradbally, Durrow, Abbeyleix, Mountrath and Mountmellick.
While Attanagh, Ballacolla, Clough, Emo, Spink, Pike of Rushall, Cullohill, Donaghmore, Camross, Killasmeestia, Killeen, Borris-in
-Ossory, Castletown, Clonaslee, Ballinakill and Ballybrittas are each to receive €1,000.
Green Party Minister Pippa Hackett welcomed the news and outlined the impact Tidy Towns groups have.
She said: “From this week Tidy Towns Groups across the county are receiving details of the grant they are eligible for and details of how to apply.
“Portlaoise Tidy Towns is eligible for €4,000, with Portarlington eligible for €3,000.
“Stradbally, Durrow, Abbeyleix, Mountrath and Mountmellick are eligible for €2,000 with all other Laois groups offered €1,000.
“Groups are encouraged to use the funding to look at projects for their green spaces and parks, and projects that promote biodiversity and sustainable living.
“We mustn’t underestimate the value of our Tidy Towns groups in our fight against biodiversity decline.
“They are helping to create habitat and ecosystems through direct action and also do a large body of work, indirectly, by raising awareness of what is happening in our natural world.
“Add all of the small steps together and we build a pathway towards protection of our living heritage.”
Today’s announcement of Tidy Towns Groups funding is a follow through on the commitment of €1.4 million in funding given by Minister Humphreys at the awards ceremony in October.
Applications for funding must be returned to Pobal no later than February 28 next year.
Late applications will not be accepted. All projects and initiatives funded through this support must be completed by July 31, 2023.
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