Press release
Minister Humphreys announces over €15.4 million in funding for 147 rural towns and villages
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
Funding aimed at helping communities respond to COVID-19
Focus on developing outdoor amenities and enhancing public spaces
Emphasis on supporting Remote Working in rural communities
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, today (Friday January 8th) announced over €15.4 million under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
The funding will assist towns and villages to implement measures that can help them to respond to the challenges associated with COVID-19.
The funding will benefit 147 towns and villages and will fund a wide and diverse range of projects nationwide including walkways, community parks, outdoor cinemas, cycleways as well as the regeneration of derelict buildings and enhancement works at tourism attractions and other important local amenities.
Funding has also been provided for the development of a number of remote working facilities in rural towns and villages. Successful projects will see the renovation and conversion of vacant buildings into digital hubs as well as adaptions to local community centres to provide for remote working and eLearning facilities.
Announcing the successful projects today, Minister Humphreys said:
“Our rural towns and villages are a vital part of the fabric of our lives. The past year has shown us, more than ever, how much we rely on our local communities and has rekindled our sense of pride in where we live."
"The funding I am announcing today is about helping communities get back on their feet and adapt to the ongoing challenges COVID-19 presents – it will help make our towns and villages safer places to live, work and do business."
"The pandemic has made us all appreciate the importance of getting outdoors for a little exercise and fresh air. I am delighted that a wide range of projects being funded today will support the development of recreational amenities such as walkways, cycleways, dog parks, community parks, playgrounds and more."
"There is also significant investment to regenerate old buildings and enhancement works at areas of natural beauty - helping make our towns and villages more attractive places to visit and enjoy.”
Examples of successful projects include:
Remote Working
COVID-19 has highlighted the huge opportunities that remote working presents for regional development. A wide range of projects approved for funding will see the development of remote working facilities in rural towns and villages.
Minister Humphreys continued:
“I am particularly delighted that a number of the projects approved today will support Remote Working - enabling people to work from their own local community into the future."
"While Remote Working was just a concept a year ago, it has now become an everyday working reality for tens of thousands of people as a result of COVID-19. I am pleased to see so many communities embrace this new reality as they seek to develop Remote Working facilities, eHubs and co-working spaces."
Examples of successful remote working projects include:
Minister Humphreys added:
“I hope to see even more remote working hubs coming on line in 2021 and I am pleased to say that I have secured an additional €5 million in funding for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in Budget 2021 specifically for the development of more remote working hubs in our rural towns and villages.”
Over 500 projects supported in 2020
The funding announced today is in addition to €10.4 million allocated by Minister Humphreys to 363 towns and villages since August 2020 for immediate COVID-19 response measures under the 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
In total, over 500 projects are now being supported with funding of more than €25 million under the 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
Minister Humphreys concluded:
“Since August, more than €25 million has been provided to over 500 projects nationwide under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. These projects will make a real and lasting difference and demonstrates this Government’s strong commitment to supporting our rural communities.”
Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2020
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and administered through the Local Authorities, in consultation with local communities.
The 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme had a particular focus on projects delivering an economic dividend and enabling towns and villages to respond to COVID-19 challenges.
The 2020 scheme included two strands – an Acclerated Measure, which supported projects which could be implemented immediately as a response to COVID-19, and a Standard Measure which focused on projects which could support a medium-term recovery from COVID-19.
The scheme also continues to support public-realm type activities and the enhancement of town centre amenities, particularly where this aids the economic and/or social recovery of a town or village.
Local Authorities were invited to submit 10 projects each under the 2020 Standard Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Following assessment of these projects, 147 towns and villages countrywide will receive funding, with total funding of €15.4 million.
The funding announced today is in addition to €10.4 million allocated by Minister Humphreys to 363 towns and villages since August 2020 under the Accelerated Measure of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. In total, over 500 projects are now being supported with funding of more than €25 million under the 2020 scheme.