Independent TD for Laois-Offaly, Carol Nolan has encouraged community groups to make funding applications to Offaly County Council.

The local authority confirmed that it is seeking expressions of interest under the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025. The programme has made €186,553 worth of funding available to groups in Offaly.

Working in conjunction with Offaly Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), the LEP is calling on not-for-profit community groups to apply.

The LEP 2025 is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Deputy Nolan said: "Details released to me from the county council have indicated that the lion’s share of the funding will be directed toward capital expenditure [€150,575].

Under department regulations, the LCDC has ringfenced 30% of the funding to fund grants of less than €1,000.

A further €26,650 is to be set aside to "support running costs such as energy or operational costs".

In the current expenditure category, grants of up to €500 will be awarded.

These can be used for can be used for rental costs, utility and electricity bills, insurance, and audit and accountability fees.

Costs such as employment costs, legal fees, project management fees, and private or commercial operations are not eligible under this scheme.

For applications covering energy costs, the costs must have incurred in the period between June 1, 2024 and May 30, 2025 to be eligible for funding.

The deadline for applications is at 4:00p.m, Wednesday, February 12.

Deputy Nolan continued: "My offices routinely engage with community groups across Offaly who are seeking urgent financial assistance.

"That is why I am encouraging all those involved to make an immediate application to the Offaly County Council before the deadline expires.

“Offaly County Council [has] informed me that the programme is usually over-subscribed, so it is vital that applications are made as quickly as possible,” the Offaly TD concluded.