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• Funding to provide for range of equipment,     classes and activities in libraries across Monaghan and Cavan
• Funding compliments over €3.1m announced by     Minister Humphreys last week for major expansion of My Open Library

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has  announced €70,000 in funding to provide a series of new library programmes in Monaghan and Cavan.

The funding is being provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Dormant Accounts Action Plan and is designed to assist libraries in reaching out to older people, children from disadvantaged communities, people with disabilities and other marginalised groups. Libraries in Monaghan will receive an allocation of€37,170 while Libraries in Cavan will receive €32,409.

Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said:

“I am delighted today to announce almost €70,000 in funding to provide a wide range of programmes and services in our libraries in Monaghan and Cavan.

“The sort of innovative projects that are being funded under this initiative will create a more welcoming and engaging library experience for young and older people alike. It will put our libraries at the forefront of reaching out to all members of the local community in which they serve.

“I would really encourage families to look at the projects being funding in their own county. Sensory Stories to support Children with Autism, Library Friendship Circles for Older People and an innovative Build a Bodhran Programme for teenagers are just a few examples of the great supports this funding will allow our libraries across Monaghan and Cavan to host.

“While this funding is small in nature, it will have a big impact in terms of improving people’s lives. I want to pay tribute and thank all our library staff, who play such an important role in supporting communities right across Monaghan and Cavan.”

The successful projects in Monaghan and Cavan are:

Monaghan - Sensory Stories- People with autism and sensory needs. Will engage educators/creative practitioners to develop and produce a high-quality programme, which will combine instructor-led learning &creative engagement, with face-to-face learning opportunities within the branch network through a series of talks and workshops. €10,000

Monaghan - Library Friendship Circle - Older people -Re-engage with older members of our community post COVID-19. Establish a Library Friendship Circle network. Collaborate with key partners and deliver programming: Digital, banking, creative & cultural, storytelling etc. €8,000

Monaghan - Outdoor sensory Garden  - People with autism, Age Friendly groups and individuals Additional furnishings and planting for outdoor sensory area to meet the needs of all including those with sensory difficulties - €2,500

Monaghan - Fine motor skills equipment - People with autism, Age Friendly groups.  Sensory equipment that includes beam lights, dark tents, motor sensory toys, suitable seating - €3,000

Monaghan - Portable Tovertafel 360 & Happiness Programme-People with autism , Age Friendly groups and individuals. A portable Tovertafel table that can be brought out into the community and other areas of our library space. €8,856

Monaghan - Nessy Licences- Individual children & Monaghan Family Support Network - 200 two year licences. Support schools literacy programme and parents/children learning to read at home. Collaborate with partners to promote reading over the summer months. €4,814.00

Cavan- Build a Bodhran - 12-18 year olds from DEIS schools. Working with a master bodhrán player in assembling a drum from scratch and learn playing techniques along the way. €7,898.00

Cavan - Ukulele &Vocal - 8-13 year olds from DEIS schools and families from new communities.   Fun and interactive workshop series in which participants learn about sound composition, identifying colour notation, creating rhythms, exploring pitch & building & layering melodies. €3,080.00

Cavan - The Arts Well - Early school leavers, Residents of deprived areas. Facilitators will deliver a ‘Wellbeing through the Arts’ programme for adult service users in recovery from addiction. Participants will use the arts experience to support and promote recovery. €7,480.00

Cavan - Sensory Toys - Autistic children & adults, age friendly. Specialised selection of sensory toys/equipment for nine library branches designed to offer support to children and adults with learning difficulties, disabilities or more significant needs. €6,211

Cavan - Touch Type Read& Spell Licences - National and Post-primary schools, Youthreach & other networks. One thousand TTRS licences for two years which assist children with low literacy levels, learning difficulties including dyslexia and dyspraxia. €7,740

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