Deadline 'too early' for Kildare festival grants
Photo: Julien Behal Photography
A SUM of €20,600 of residual LPT funding earmarked for festival grants in the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District has been carried forward to next year, following agreement by councillors at their July meeting. The money had not been allocated this year by the closing date of 12 March, the meeting heard.
Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, who proposed that the money be carried forward, said the closing date for the grants was too early. Cllr Chris Pender said the difficulty was that events happen at different times of the year, and suggested the application dates could be "moved around". Cllr Suzanne Doyle said event organisers were stymied by the short deadline and the current system is 'not helpful' to those who organise festivals.
Cathaoirleach Peggy O'Dwyer, noted that the money had been earmarked to 'top up' the €25,000 previously allocated by the councillors for such grants.
Responding to a suggestion that there should be a second deadline later in the year, officials said the process takes a lot of staff resources and time, and changing it would not be viable from a staff perspective.
