A new €10 million scheme directed at the rejuvenation of rural Ireland has been launched by Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys.
The Town and Village Renewal scheme will have a particular focus on the reinvigoration of towns with populations of less than 5,000 and an allocation of €380,000 is to be made available to each county.
The news has been warmly welcomed by Independent Deputy Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran. The Longford-Westmeath TD said: “A maximum of eight separate projects in each county can receive a grant from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs from September, and I look forward to seeing the projects put forward by Longford and Westmeath County Councils.
“The criteria for funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme state that projects must have a ‘sustainable and visible impact’, and I know that local community groups will also have a say in how the various schemes are developed.
“During negotiations for the formation of the Government, I placed a strong emphasis in the Programme for Government that towns and villages would be given a chance to breathe again with the help of a renewal fund. I sincerely hope that this scheme will kick-start a badly needed revival in our towns and villages across the counties of Longford and Westmeath.”
Fine Gael Deputy for Longford-Westmeath, Peter Burke, has also welcomed the funding: “The economic crash which occurred after years of Fianna Fáil-led government really left its mark on small towns and villages across rural Ireland,” he said. “We have seen the evidence of it here in Longford and Westmeath. Thankfully the economic recovery is underway, but many towns and villages are still feeling the after-effects of the recession.
“This Government has made sure that rural development is a key priority in the Programme for a Partnership Government and appointed a dedicated Minister, Heather Humphreys. This Town and Village Renewal Scheme is just the start of our work to ensure that all regions of the country feel the benefits of our strong economy.”
The projects will be selected by the councillors in each county by late September.
