Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces record €164 million in funding for 30 regeneration projects in rural towns and villages
- Largest allocation to date under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
- Transformative projects will revitalise town centres, stimulate the rural economy and attract people back to live, work and visit rural areas
- Focus on combatting vacancy and dereliction and regenerating iconic town centre buildings with new purpose
- Projects supported across the country, including, Edenderry, Ballyhaunis, Cresslough, Cahersiveen and Enniscrone
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Monday, 13th April 2024) announced record funding of €164 million for 30 landmark regeneration projects across the country.
The investment is being provided under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) with a particular emphasis on the revitalisation of rural town centres, which is a key objective of the Our Rural Future and Town Centre First Policies.
Announcing the funding at Loophead Lighthouse in Clare, Minister Humphreys said:
“Today I am announcing an unprecedented €164 million in funding for 30 landmark projects in rural Ireland. This announcement has been made possible by the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, which is providing strategic capital funding for significant projects around the country.
“The funding announced today will revitalise towns and villages in line with the Town Centre First Policy, addressing vacancy and dereliction, stimulating rural economies and responding to community needs”.
Examples of some of the successful projects announced today include:
Edenderry, Co Offaly (€12.2 million): Redevelopment of a derelict site to provide a new Community Library and Arts Base and regenerate the centre of the town.
Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo (€5.2 million): Redevelopment of a derelict convent primary school building and grounds to provide a public library, enterprise hub and public park.
Limerick Greenway Hubs Development Project, Co Limerick (€9.6 million): Redevelopment of former stations houses along the Limerick Greenway route to create mini destinations, trailheads and service hubs.
Cresslough, Co Donegal (€12.1 million): Will create a new central hub that will be transformative for the community.
Cahersiveen, Co Kerry (€6.4 million): Regeneration of the town centre including the renovation of an historic building as a community facility and development of a waterfront amenity and boardwalk.
Enniscrone, Co Sligo (€8.4 million): Regeneration of key seafront areas including the redevelopment of the historic Cliff Bath House, upgrading of the Cliff Walk and redevelopment of a derelict building to provide a new community pavilion.
Baile Bhúirne, Co Cork (€3.2 million): Redevelopment of a former residential school to provide a Regional Development Centre – an enterprise development, training and research facility.
Tuam, Co Galway (€3.6 million): Redevelopment of the historic Tuam Town Hall as a multi-purpose community facility.
The Minister added:
“Today, I have announced the largest allocation of funding since the RRDF was established. The RRDF alone has now invested over €577 million in funding for projects in rural Ireland.
This is a truly transformative level of funding that will make a real and lasting difference in rural communities throughout Ireland.”
Today’s announcement relates to the Fifth Call for Category 1 applications, which provides funding for large scale capital projects which have planning in place and are ready to proceed.
The application process is competitive, and applications were subjected to a comprehensive assessment process by the Department with oversight provided by an independent Project Advisory Board, made up of representatives drawn from key Government Departments along with external independent experts