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Minister Humphreys announces over €15.4 million in funding for 147 rural towns and villages
Funding of nearly €1.8m will benefit 23 towns and villages in the 4 Midland Counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly & Westmeath and includes a diverse range of projects. Funding includes 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.
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.
Minister Humphreys said:
"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.”
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.
“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."
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.”
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