From Department of Rural and Community Development
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Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has concluded her 2 day trip of County Donegal where she visited projects that have received funding of over €8 million from her department.
All of the projects opened as part of the Minister’s visit received investment under the government’s ambitious rural development policy, Our Rural Future.
For day 2 of her visit, the Minister’s first stop was to turn the sod at the Burtonport Harbour Redevelopment, which has been approved for over €2 million in funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. The project will allow for the vacant buildings on site to be redeveloped to create a new multi-user public realm with modern transport infrastructure, public amenities and car park.
The Minister’s final stop on this visit to Co Donegal was to Arranmore Island. Here she performed the official opening of the Arranmore Shore Front Amenity Project which received over €3 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. The project provides for a landmark high quality shore front recreation, outdoor amenity and local community inspired amphitheatre style event space on the island.
Speaking at her final stop on Arranmore Island today, the Minister said:
“This fantastic new amenity will enhance the quality of life for residents of the Island and will both stimulate and support new and emerging businesses in the tourism, hospitality, leisure and related sectors. As Minister for Rural and Community Development, I am delighted that this project was able to proceed as part of the transformational Ailt an Choirrain and Árainn Mhór - Harbour to Island Regeneration Project, which was approved for funding of €3 million from my department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. As Minister, it is a priority that my department continue to provide funding for projects that will support the future development, growth and sustainability of communities on our offshore Islands. This is my last stop on my visit to Donegal over the last 2 days. It has been a wonderful opportunity to meet people around the county and visit the fantastic projects that are being delivered using funding from my department as part of Our Rural Future. The projects I have visited over the last 2 days in Donegal are first-hand examples of how the investment from my department is making a significant impact, supporting rural communities and ensuring that rural Ireland is a vibrant and attractive place to live, work and visit.”
Please find full details of the investments and projects launched as part of the Minister’s engagements in Donegal Day 2.
Burtonport Harbour Redevelopment is a Category 1 project that was approved for funding of €2,065,761 from the third call for Category 1 applications to the Fund.
The project is led by Donegal County Council in partnership with) Arranmore Blue Ferry Company, Arranmore Red Ferry Company and Burtonport Welcome Centre Society, Comharchuman Oilean Arainn Mhoir (COAM), Donegal County Council Community Development, Donegal County Council Economic Development Unit and Irish Water Phase 2 Harbour Buildings Regeneration Project forms part of the broader and linked multi-faceted integrated phased project known as the Ailt an Chorráin (Burtonport)/Árainn Mhór (Arranmore) ‘Harbour to Island’ Regeneration Project for the regeneration of Ailt an Chorráin (Burtonport) and Oileán Árainn Mhór (Arranmore Island.
The site of this project specifically relates to a section of the harbour at Ailt an Chorráin (Burtonport) which includes includes the aquisition & demolition of under-utilised, redundant vacant buildings to create a new multi-user public realm with modern transport infrastructure, public amenities and car park.
The construction of a new Ferry Terminal Building and Enterprise Building will transform the harbour environment. The new Ferry Terminal Building will accommodate a range of uses, including the Harbour Master’s Office, community meeting space, public conveniences, ferry ticket offices, public waiting area, viewing platform and tourist information services.
The project commenced in June 2021 and is due to be completed in October 2022.
Burtonport/Arranmore Island is a Category 1 project that was approved for funding of €3,089,199.00 from the second call for applications to the Fund. The overall cost of the project is €4,118,932.
The project is led by Donegal County Council in partnership with Comharchuman Oilean Arainn Mhoir Teo (COAM), Arranmore Community Council, Arranmore Blue Ferry Company, Arranmore Red Ferry Company and Burtonport Fisherman’s Co-Operative.
The project seeks to harness the relationship between the port and the Island and the very clear opportunities for growth in the tourism and marine leisure sectors together with the re-population strategy for the Islands.
This project will transform the Harbour environment and infrastructure to a multi-user space with modern transport infrastructure, public amenities, services and parking.
On Arranmore, the project will deliver a landmark high quality shore front recreation, outdoor amenity and local community inspired amphitheatre style event space on Árainn Mhór Island.
Phase 2 of the project will deliver new Ferry Terminal building, public amenities and commercial/enterprise space within the new Harbour Environment. Phase 2 was approved for €2,065,761 from the third call for Category 1 applications.
Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. It represents a new milestone in the approach to rural development policy for Ireland and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas.
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 €278 million for 191 projects across the country worth a total of €376 million.
In relation to projects in County Donegal, the Fund has provided €31 million in funding for projects worth €37.45 million.