Minister Donohoe welcomes €175m in urban development funding for Dublin’s North Inner City

Direct funding for projects in the North East Inner City and new city library in Parnell Square

The Minister for Finance and Fine Gael TD for Dublin Central, Paschal Donohoe, has today (Friday) welcomed the announcement of almost €174.3 million in funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for Dublin’s North Inner City under ‘Call 2’ of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. The funds are in addition to funding of €15.78 million previously made available under ‘Call 1’ of the Fund.

As part of this funding, €121.3 million will go directly to a number of projects in the North Inner City, which will have a real impact on the area, the lives of local residents and all those who come to and enjoy Dublin city.

They include:

The redevelopment of the Smithfield Fruit and Vegetable Market, and Parnell Square Cultural Quarter including the pedestrianisation of streets, the greening of spaces and addition of cycle routes;
The construction of a new city library in Parnell Square;
Development of a cycleway and pedestrian walkway between Broadstone and Grand Canal;
The refurbishment of existing community buildings at Mountjoy Square;
Improvements to public lighting and street furniture and the addition of street art around the Five Lamps and Moore Street;
Restoration works on historic buildings at 14-17 Moore Street and 41 Parnell Square.

Welcoming the funding, Minister Donohoe said:

‘Dublin’s North Inner City is steeped in history. From Smithfield Market to Parnell and Mountjoy Square and Moore Street and beyond, this funding will make a real difference to these areas. It will be used to further projects that have been long talked about and that have the potential to significantly transform entire spaces’.

“The funds are being provided for areas that have traditionally suffered from dereliction and decline over the years. By focusing our attention on a number of key areas, as is the case here, we can truly regenerate parts of the city that will not just have a lasting effect on those who live in the locality, but on all those who avail of everything that our usually vibrant city has to offer.

Many of these projects will build on the work of the North East Inner City Taskforce in creating a brighter future for its local communities. The Taskforce has been central in ensuring that all strands come together to enable this part of our city thrive. The announcement of this substantial funding is testament to their hard work and dedication to the North East Inner City.”

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