€4.5m package for Rural Towns and Villages

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced a €4.5 million package to support our rural towns and villages. This initiative has been warmly welcomed by local Fine Gael TD, Frank Feighan as well as Fine Gael candidate in Manorhamilton MD area, Caitriona Bergin, and Green Party candidate in the Ballinamore MD area, Adam O Ceallaigh.
 
As part of a suite of measures, a new Town Team Support Fund will be established to build and develop a network of Town Teams nationwide.

Deputy Feighan is encouraging local communities across South Donegal, Leitrim Sligo and North Roscommon to review the proposals under the scheme and consider setting up a town team where currently none exists.
 
Deputy Feighan specifically welcomed the really good news for the North West region, “Under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, up to €50,000 will be invested in supporting the development of projects designed to breathe new life into rural communities.  And additional funding will be provided for projects submitted by counties in the North West – recognising the specific challenges facing the region”.

“Measures like these will further impower local communities alongside the local authority to tackle the scourge of dereliction in our local communities and I want to personally commend Minister Humphreys for her work in this area”, said Deputy Feighan.

Announcing suite of measures today, Minister Humphreys said: “I’m delighted to announce a package of over €4.5 million to support the development of our Rural towns and villages across the country.
 
“This is about empowering our communities to realise their vision. It’s about giving them the tools and supports they need to generate investment, attract tourism and above all, become better places to live, work and raise a family.
 
“Central to this multi-million euro initiative is the establishment of a new Town Team Support Fund.
 
“We all know that our Town Teams do fantastic work in many parts of the country. But in other parts, there is no town team at all.
 
“So, under this new Fund, we are going to provide up to €10,000 per town to help them establish a new Town Team or to build up the one already in place.
 
“I’m also going to provide up to €30,000 for the development of Town Centre First Plans, which are really key to revitalising our town centres.

“And finally, I’m opening applications for funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with a particular focus on supporting counties in the North West Region.
 
“This significant package of supports will be administered through the local authorities and the Town Regeneration Officers and I’m encouraging all communities to get involved.”