Department funding under July Stimulus Plan

The July Jobs Stimulus Plan contains a suite of expenditure measures designed to directly support business and communities at all levels of the economy that are negatively impacted by Covid-19. It is a €7.4 billion package of measures designed to stimulate a jobs-led recovery and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of COVID-19.

The Stimulus Plan will help ensure Ireland’s businesses and communities get back on their feet as and when it is safe to do so. COVID-19 has had an enormous impact on communities, businesses, families and individuals across the country. The priority of the government remains the wellbeing of our people and communities.

This Department is supporting communities through:

Additional €5 million funding provided under the Item was unpublished or removed is in addition to €2 million provided under the programme earlier this year.

The new fund seeks to stimulate local economies by providing capital grants towards the maintenance, improvement and upkeep of community centres, and community buildings. Similar expenditure on other community facilities will also be allowed.

This funding will assist community groups by enabling them to develop their facilities during this difficult time. It complements other funding announced recently by the department, such as previous funding of €2 million under the Community Enhancement Programme, and the €35 million COVID-19 Stability Fund.

This funding is being administered on behalf of the Department by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs). In order to allow flexibility, the department is not setting a national closing date, but will allow each LCDC to set its own, to best suit its area. The department does require that all closing dates are no later than end October 2020. Groups should contact their LCDC for further details.

Details of the allocation to each local authority area are:

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is one of a series of national and local support measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland under the Department of Rural & Community Development’s “Rural Development Investment Programme”. It is managed on behalf of the Department by the local authorities. The programme is funded under Project Ireland 2040.

Additional funding of €10 million for towns and villages under the July Stimulus Package is in addition to €15 million already ear-marked for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2020.

This has allowed for a new funding round to be added to the Accelerated Measure introduced earlier in 2020. This measure has also been extended to 41 larger towns. The closing date for the receipt of applications closed on 28 August.

The closing date for Standard scheme has moved to 30 September 2020.

Applications should be routed through Local Authorities.

A €2 million stimulus for the islands will cover:

A project to upgrade Inis Oírr pier which has been included in the NDP. The Stimulus funding will allow preparatory works in 2020. (€0.5m)

Additional funding to accelerate offshore islands capital works programme. The existing programme of works, to be delivered by the Local Authorities, includes roads, marine, and sanitation works. (€1m)

Capital upgrade works to be carried out at Connemara Airport to improve safety facilities and equipment. (€0.5m)