- Minister announces €409m Towns and Cities Regeneration Fund
- Nearly 120 regeneration projects supported nationwide
- Letterkenny receives €14.7m including €9m for transport hub
- Cork City receives €20.45m including English Market upgrade
- Waterford receives €22.65m for three major projects
Minister for Housing James Browne has announced a landmark €409m allocation under Ireland’s new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund on 14 September 2026, supporting nearly 120 regeneration projects nationwide. County Meath secured €22.65m total for six primary projects including up to €7.5m for the Laytown-Bettystown Community Building, €7.2m for Trimgate Street Pedestrianisation in Navan and €7.5m for the Ratoath Civic Centre.
Letterkenny is set to receive €14.7m with the largest portion of €9m supporting a proposed Letterkenny Transport Hub along with funding for a cultural corridor and green connectivity projects. Cork City received €20.45m total across six projects highlighted by a €7.5m grant dedicated to upgrading Cork’s historic English Market. Waterford received €22.65m total across three major projects including the Waterford Cultural Quarter HQ and €7.1m to repurpose three vacant properties into the Dungarvan Innovation and Enterprise Hub.
Wicklow County Council was awarded €5.7m total across three successful applications covering the Murrough Waterfront Park Enhancement Scheme in Wicklow Town along with plan developments for Wicklow and Arklow Quays. Cavan and Monaghan received initial Category 1A planning grants including €150,000 for Cavan’s River Mill Quarter Masterplan and €150,000 for Monaghan’s St. Louis Parklands.
The details
The funding package will support almost 120 urban regeneration projects spanning every local authority across Ireland. It succeeds the previous Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF):
The fund targets long-term vacancy, dereliction, and urban decay in town and city centres. Projects focus on upgrading public spaces, community facilities, and civic infrastructure to make town centres more accessible and safe.
Over 30 targeted projects are specifically allocated for areas experiencing social or economic disadvantage. In line with the Programme for Government, the entry criteria was revised using Census data to include towns with a population of 9,000, allowing towns like Portarlington to qualify for the first time.
Local authorities across the country have received significant individual allocations for specific regional initiatives:
- Cork: Allocated nearly €40 million across 12 projects, including a €7.5 million enhancement for the historic English Market.
- Limerick: Secured €22.9 million for six projects, including €9 million dedicated to the Nicholas Street Public Realm Scheme in the Medieval Quarter.
- Waterford: Granted €22.65 million divided among three flagship projects, including the Waterford Cultural Quarter Creative Hub.
- Meath: Received €22.65 million for six projects, featuring pedestrianisation works on Trimgate Street in Navan and a new community building in Laytown-Bettystown.
- The Midlands: Received over €33 million shared between Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath, including €7.5 million to develop the Fort Museum and Event Centre in Portlaoise.
