I am delighted that my department has decided to continue to make TidyTowns funding for 2020 available even though the competition for this year has been cancelled.
It was disappointing but unavoidable the 2020 competition had to be cancelled because of public health restrictions.
TidyTowns committees throughout Galway do tremendous work each year to enhance our local communities, villages and towns.
This is an important signal to them to keep up the good work that benefits us all.
My department, the Department of Rural and Community Development, has allocated more than €4 million to TidyTowns groups since 2017 to assist them with their projects and initiatives. That works goes on and will gradually resume as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
I acknowledge the support of my Ministerial colleague Michael Ring TD for the competition and the continuing sponsorship of the event by Supervalu.