A number of Laois communities have benefited from new funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme which has been announced today.
In total €21 million has been given out around the country with just under €1m (€983,397.24) of that coming to Laois. The county has done well with only Cork, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Mayo, Limerick, Sligo and Wexford getting more.
In total 12 Laois areas have benefited – with projects in Ballyroan, Camross, Castletown, Emo, Errill, Killenard, Mountmellick, Mountrath, Portarlington, Raheen, Ratheniska and Stradbally all succesful with their funding applications.
The amounts vary from €100,000 which is being given to a Digital Hub in Mountmellick, an Enteprise Hub in Mountrath and the conservation of the schoolhouse in Ballyroan down to just over €43,000 which will be used for the upgrading of parking facilities in Errill.
The full list of Laois recipients is listed below.
The 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which was launched in April this year, focuses on projects which can help to enhance and develop rural towns and villages, with a particular emphasis on stimulating economic development.
Announcing the successful applicants today in Granard, Co. Longford, Minister Ring said: “The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is an important part of my Department’s work to rejuvenate and revitalise rural Ireland and should have a significant impact on towns and villages across the country.
“Following on from the success of the 2016 scheme, I am delighted to be able to allocate €21.6 million this year for projects in 281 towns and villages right across rural Ireland. This funding will be put to good use over the coming 12 months for the benefit of the people who live in rural Ireland.”
The Minister continued: “I have placed a particular emphasis this year on projects which have the capacity to support the economic development of rural town and villages as well as their neighbouring townlands.
“The scheme will also support improvements to public amenities in town and village centres, to help make them more attractive places in which to live and work and to visit.
“I am delighted with the response which I received to the call for proposals this year. Amongst the successful projects which I am announcing are many fine examples of initiatives which will support enterprise and job creation.
“I want to thank the Local Authorities for their efforts and co-operation in engaging with local and business communities to identify these projects. Most of the funding will benefit towns and villages, with populations of less than 5,000 people.”
Funding awarded to individual towns and villages this year generally range from €20,000 to €100,000, with 40 projects receiving in excess of €100,000 for more ambitious proposals.
Ballyroan – Phase 2 of the conservation of Ballyroan schoolhouse. €100,000
Mountmellick – Digital Hub. €100,000
Mountrath – Enterprise Hub. €100,000
Stradbally – Village Enhancement Scheme. €99,680
Castletown – Resurrect a dormant community centre. €96,000
Portarlington – Enterprise Centre Phase 2. €89,445
Raheen – Middle School House Phase 1. €87,622
Emo – Community building extension. €80,000
Camross – Walkway. €69,103
Killenard – Car Park Works. €59,665
Ratheniska – Village Safety improvements scheme. €59,592
Errill – Upgrade of parking facility. €43,289
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