Press release
Our Rural Future Roadshow: Minister Humphreys visits County Cork to open rural development projects
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has visited County Cork to open a series of new rural development projects as part of a nationwide tour to promote Our Rural Future.
Our Rural Future is the government’s new rural development strategy, which aims to revitalise towns and villages, promote remote working, and ensure balanced regional development.
One of the Minister’s first engagements was to mark the official commencement of works on the new state of the art library in Kinsale.
The project received €2.1 million from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).
Speaking at the site in Kinsale, the Minister said:
“I was delighted to be able approve an investment of over €2.1 million through my Department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for this project.
“When completed, this library will offer quality digital facilities to support small local businesses, tourists and locals requiring these facilities for work or leisure.
“It will also have a strong cultural, community and educational role particularly in the area of digital literacy while also preserving a listed building that is an essential part of the historic fabric of Kinsale town.”
Also as part of the tour of the county, Minister Humphreys:
The Minister then went on to:
The Minister also travelled to Bere island where she;
The Minister’s visit to the county concluded with the official opening of a project at Beara Breifne, Castletownbere. This project involved the upgrade of the Beara Breifne Way from the tip of the Beara Peninsula to the Charleville area.
Speaking about visit, the Minister said:
“It has been great to be back in Cork again to see first-hand how investment from my Department is supporting our rural communities.
“Our Rural Future is all about reimagining and revitalising rural Ireland, particularly as we come out of COVID-19.
“The kind of projects that my Department is delivering in conjunction with Cork County Council will benefit communities for generations to come.
“They will also play a major role in boosting tourism in Cork, as well as acting as significant economic assets in the county.”
Please find full details of the investments and projects launched/visited as part of the Minister’s engagements in Cork.
Investment amounts and funding schemes
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is a commitment of €1 billion by government to be invested in rural Ireland over the period 2019 to 2027.
In total the Fund has now provided over €249m for 164 projects across Ireland, worth a total of €338m.
RRDF funding of €12,813,227 has been approved to date for 15 projects located in Cork.
The Town & Village Renewal Scheme provides funding for projects that make our towns and villages more attractive and sustainable. Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, almost €93 million has been allocated to more than 1,300 projects across Ireland. The Scheme has supported settlements the length and breadth of the country.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure. It also provides support for the necessary repair, maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas across Ireland.