Ó An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail
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Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys today (Tuesday 27 June) visited New Ross, Co Wexford, to turn the sod on the €1 million Emigrant Park project.
The major regeneration project will transform an old oil tank site along the River Barrow into a new park and waterfront promenade.
The new amenity is being delivered under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and is expected to provide a major boost to New Ross in terms of tourism.
The investment comes as part of the government’s commitment to the revitalisation of rural towns under its Rural Development Policy, Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy which aim to bring more people, business and investment opportunities to Irish towns.
Speaking in New Ross today, Minister Humphreys said:
“I’m really delighted to officially turn the sod on the New Ross Emigrant Park project. This new amenity on the beautiful quayside of the River Barrow will completely transform and re-purpose the old oil tank site into an attractive waterfront promenade and open space. New Ross is a town with a vibrant history and this project will regenerate a key site in the town, creating a compelling new attraction for visitors who come to New Ross. Through my department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, we are investing over €814,000 in this project alone. This coupled with the €5.5 million High Hills Norman Gardens project will enable New Ross to realise its full potential as a vibrant rural town and visitor destination.”
Minister Humphreys added:
“The Emigrant Park in New Ross is a perfect example of what we are all working together to achieve under the government’s five year rural development policy, ‘Our Rural Future’. And that’s to revitalise the centre of our towns – making them better places to live, work, invest and raise a family. And when officially complete this Autumn, this really will be a wonderful place for families and tourists to visit and enjoy.”
Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. It offers a blueprint for a thriving and inclusive rural Irelands and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. In total the Fund has now provided over €398 million for 215 projects across Ireland, worth a total of €545 million.
In relation to projects in County Wexford, the Fund has provided €9 million for 7 projects worth a total of €13.8 million.
Town Centre First contains 33 unique actions which will give our towns the tools and resources they need to become more viable and attractive places in which to live, work, visit and run a business. Town Regeneration Officers in all relevant Local Authority areas are being funded by DRCD to drive forward Town Centre First on a local level.
The policy also contains a range of actions designed to achieve key objectives such as social and economic revival in towns, the provision of housing, as well as addressing challenges like vacancy and derelict buildings. The actions also support the protection of our environment, as well as the heritage and culture of our towns.