The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, 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”.
The Minister confirmed that Scarriff Integrated Rural Regeneration Project will receive a total of €8,765,000.
This project will deliver integrated interventions in the centre of Scarriff including the renovation of an existing vacant derelict building as community and enterprise hub and the enhancement of Market Square to create a sense of place and arrival.
The Minister said: “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