The government will contribute €100,000 towards the Community Foundation for Ireland's Biodiversity Fund, the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan TD, has announced.

The total grant allocation this year through the fund will be €370,000. It will be awarded to 56 organisations covering each county in Ireland to tackle biodiversity loss within their community.

Minister Josepha Madigan said: "I'm delighted that my Department was able to participate in this which has provided grants to help communities develop local biodiversity plans. Biodiversity loss is a pressing issue and it is important that everyone sector of society plays its role. This fund is a great example of how Government, communities and philanthropy have come together to create real, on the ground impact."

The majority of applicants were from Tidy Towns groups and local grass roots organisations. A spokesperson for Arklow Tidy Towns, who were successful, said: "Our community won best kept large town in 2019 and working with the local farmers on biodiversity was a big part of our recent success. This funding will enables us to catalogue, restore and preserve our town's diverse and abundant habitats for our proud town flora and fauna over many years to come."

Successful applicants were awarded grants from €5,000 to €10,000 to conduct local biodiversity studies with a trained ecologist and to engage others in the area, including farmers, to get a clear picture of the biodiversity needs in their communities.

Tina Roche, Chief Executive of The Community Foundation for Ireland said: "It cannot be left up to Government alone to solve pressing environmental issues. Public and private funding is more powerful when they collaborate together to create maximum impact. We encourage more people to join with us to fund other areas of the environment that need extra support."

(MH/JG)