MORE than £2 million raised from the plastic-bag levy is being made available for environmental projects.
As the recipients of more than 250 grants were announced yesterday environment minister Mark H Durkan revealed that the £1.1m initially earmarked for the projects had been doubled.
Successful projects included the renovation of a 300-year-old cottage in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, the creation of a care farm in Co Down and the transformation of wasteland into allotments in Donaghmore, Co Tyrone.
The money raised by the 5p tax on plastic and paper bags was topped up with £200,000 from the forestry service, bringing the total to £2.4m. Mr Durkan said the scheme had "inspired local communities to work together".
"I have been really impressed by the level of partnership between local businesses, schools, youth groups and residents," he said.
Curry's Cottage in Derrylin will benefit from funding to renovate the 300-year-old cruck frame building. Afterwards it will be used by school parties and history groups for storytelling, traditional music sessions and other activities.
Siobhan Brown from Hearth Revolving Fund said Curry's Cottage was "one of Northern Ireland's architectural germs".
"Hearth is very grateful for this funding and we look forward to seeing this project come to fruition," she said.
Ardaluin Regeneration Trust in Newcastle will remodel an eight-acre site into a care farm for forest schooling and adventure-therapy.