Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, yesterday announced that he has allocated €524,116 to support the development of proposals for two significant Mayo rural development initiatives.
Minister Ring made the announcement under Category 2 of his Department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, a key component of Project Ireland 2040.
€355,764 has been allocated to develop the Newport Regeneration Project which aims to: (1 ) Redevelop Local Authority/community-owned derelict buildings at Barrack Hill to provide for a new Enterprise Hub workspace facility and a new Tourism Office; (2 ) Support Public Realm works along Medlicott and Main Streets, the bridge, and Barrack Hill to include the provision of paved public open spaces, wider footpaths, safe pedestrian crossings, improved disability access, off-road cycling routes, and general streetscape enhancements within the town centre; (3 ) Create of a new Greenway Cycling Hub and visitor car parking facilities at Barrack Hill; (4 ) Develop a new off-road greenway and walking route as an alternative to the Georges Street on-road safety blackspot and (5 ) Provide new “Dark Skies-friendly” public lighting within the town-centre project area.
A further €168,352 has been allocated to develop Ballyhaunis Community Vision which aims to: (1 ) Redevelop the former convent school at Abbey Street to provide for a new hub for community use as a workspace and to support local social enterprises; (2 ) Create a new public plaza adjoining the community hub building plus new pedestrian bridge connecting the plaza to the public swimming pool; (3 ) Restore the existing riverside walk along the River Dalgan; (4 ) Create a new circular walking route through the town connecting the town centre, the public swimming pool, the friary grounds loop-walk, the MUGA pitch, and the children's playground and (5 ) Provide a new cover and heating facilities to the existing public outdoor swimming pool.
Minister Ring said: "I am delighted to announce this significant funding for these two extremely exciting projects. Each project has wonderful potential and I have no doubt that when brought to fruition they will bring great benefits to the local communities in Newport and Ballyhaunis.
"I have now allocated over €12 million for 14 large scale projects in rural Mayo communities through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
"I am proud to have overseen the creation of the €1 billion Rural Regeneration Fund and am hugely excited at how it will help unlock the potential of our local communities in Mayo and further afield.
"This level of funding for rural communities is quite simply unprecedented and I have no doubt that the projects delivered through the fund will enable rural communities throughout Ireland to grow and prosper.
"I believe that it is vital that we continue to build resilience in our rural communities in Mayo and make them vibrant places for families to live. The projects that this Fund supports are targeting areas where they can have the greatest economic and social impact and will help support communities in facing the uncertainty still posed by Brexit."
Minister Ring concluded: “Only last week, I put the call out for applications for Category 1 proposals under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and I hope to see this deliver more superb projects for Mayo communities.”
