Funding of up to €200,000 is available for rural towns and villages across Cork through the 2019 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, North Cork Fine Gael Councillor John Paul O’Shea has said.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme has become an integral part of the Government’s drive to support rural Ireland. It provides funding of up to €200,000 for projects that make our towns more attractive places in which to live and work.
The scheme is specifically targeted at rural towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000.
Cllr. O’Shea said: “Fine Gael is delivering ‘Project Ireland 2040’ which will ensure sustainable growth over the next twenty years for all parts of Ireland.
“To ensure the vitality of our rural areas, a significant proportion of national population and economic growth will be targeted at building up the fabric of smaller towns, villages and rural areas, with much of that happening by redeveloping derelict and under-utilised lands inside small towns and villages.
“Since the Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in 2016, almost €53 million has been approved for over 670 projects across the country. These projects cover a range of activities, from improving the public realm, to job-creation initiatives such as the development of enterprise hubs and digital hubs.
“I strongly encourage towns and villages in Cork to work with Cork County Council in preparing innovative and well-thought-out projects under the scheme and I look forward to the announcement of the successful recipients of funding in the coming months.
“In order to avail of funding through the scheme, Cork County Council will be required to advertise for expressions of interest from towns and villages and will select proposals for development into detailed applications to be submitted to the Department by the end of June,” Cllr. O’Shea said.
