Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has revealed a €2.6m allocation to back Town Centre First projects, aiming to bolster the development of various initiatives prioritizing town center enhancement.
The funding will aid local authorities in fostering a series of substantial and well-structured projects within towns across Ireland, with each of the 53 supported projects receiving up to €50,000 for pre-development tasks and associated expenses like detailed design, planning, procurement, professional fees, assessments, and other development costs.
The initiative seeks to strengthen town centers, stimulate local economies, and promote community vitality through strategic project development, aligning with the Town Centre First approach that prioritizes town center revitalization.
Minister Humphreys’ announcement underscores the government’s commitment to supporting the regeneration and growth of town centers, recognizing their significance as hubs for economic activity, community engagement, and cultural vitality within local areas.
Supported projects include:
- Enhancement of a town centre park in Tullow, Co. Carlow, to provide a modern play area with accessible natural paths and family-friendly areas. This support will prepare detailed designs for the park and bring the project through to the planning stage and the preparation of the tender documentation.
- Development of visitor Hub for Mount Errigal in Dunlewey, Co Donegal
- Ddevelopment of a community hub in Ladysbridge, Co. Cork to service the needs of the locality including childcare facilities and a remote working hub. The support will progress the development of detailed construction drawings and preparatory groundworks for the development of this community facility.
- Pre-development planning for a new town centre plaza in Kinsale, Co Cork
- Prepare a programme of works to improve and upgrade the shopfronts on the Main Square in Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick.
- Design work to bring the derelict Bridewell Building in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan back into use as a community Hub
Minister Humphreys said“I’m delighted to announce funding of €2.6m today which will support Local Authorities and Town Teams to develop a strong pipeline of shovel-ready projects in our local towns. I am announcing funding for a wide range of projects today from the development of green spaces and parks in our town centres to projects which look at how vacant and derelict buildings in our towns can be brought back into use. I look forward to seeing these exciting projects and initiatives progress and make positive impacts for our rural towns and villages”.
Further information on Town Centre First can be found here on gov.ie.
