The elderly, the youth, lone parents and socially and culturally excluded groups living in rural south-east Co Galway are all to be targeted by a community development project that was officially launched yesterday.
The project, which is part of the national Community Development Programme funded by the Department, of Rural, Community and Family Affairs, will focus on the needs of the rural community in the Portumna rural district.
Although the Na Calaí Community Development Project has been up and running since the end of September last, it was officially launched yesterday by Minister of State, Mr Noel Treacy TD, at its premises at Abbey Street, Portumna, yesterday.
Mr Noel Schofield, of Na Calaí, explained that the project would pre focus on social inclusion measures. These would be dealing with areas such as the youth, the elderly, education, Travellers, lone parents and socially and culturally excluded families living in rural isolation.
"There are currently some 162 community development projects receiving support nationally under the programme. This represents an annual investment of over €21 million in the area."
