Minister Joe O’Brien welcomes the announcement of €1.5 million in support of SuperValu TidyTowns Group*

Minister of State Joe O’Brien today (Friday, 27th October) welcomes the confirmed details of the allocation from his Department of Rural and Community Development of €1.5 million to support local TidyTowns groups with their preparations for the 2024 SuperValu TidyTowns competition and has urged eligible groups to ensure they avail of the funding.

This allocation will provide top-up funding of between €1,000 and €4,000 for eligible TidyTowns groups across the country. All of the SuperValu TidyTowns Groups who entered the competition in any of 2021, 2022 and 2023 will be eligible to apply.

This year marked the 65th anniversary of the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, which continues to go from strength to strength, with over 880 towns and villages entering the competition in 2023.

With this new funding announcement, the Department of Rural and Community Development has allocated a total of €9.5 million to TidyTowns Groups since 2017.

Welcoming the funding, Minister O’Brien said:

“The SuperValu TidyTowns Competition is all about community, innovation, and sustainability, and I’m delighted to see my Department support this important work with this direct funding.

“I have seen first-hand the fantastic work the TidyTowns groups across Fingal do in making our towns and villages better places in which to work, live and raise a family.”

The Minister continued:

“The funding of between €1,000 and €4,000 is being provided to groups to assist them in preparing for the 2024 Competition in particular initiatives in the areas of biodiversity, sustainability and inclusion, all of which help Ireland realise its commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

All eligible groups will be contacted before Christmas to confirm their funding. All projects and initiatives funded under this support must be completed by July 31st, 2024.

Looking ahead to next year, the Minister said:

“Towns throughout Fingal have enjoyed great success in the competition in recent years. Just this month we saw all the groups awarded more points in this year’s TidyTowns competition and awards such as the Circular Economy Special Award, Youth Climate Action Award and the Young Persons in TidyTowns Award were achieved. Two groups were also commended for their work towards the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

“I am confident that the funding provided by my Department will continue to make a real difference to the towns and villages of Ireland.”