Minister Rabbitte welcomes €650,000 investment in six towns and villages across Galway

by | Dec 14, 2022 | Funding, Rural Ireland, Rural Regeneration | 0 comments

Minister for Disability and Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East, Anne Rabbitte, has welcomed the allocation of €650,000 for six projects in towns and villages across Galway.

The funding forms part of the largest ever investment under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and will see a range of landmark projects delivered across Rural Ireland.

The funding is spread over four strands, including:

  • investment in Town and Village Projects nationwide
  • the purchase and re-development of vacant and derelict buildings for conversion into community facilities
  • the upgrade the shopfronts and building facades under the Streetscape Enhancement Initiative, and
  • funding for planning and design works on a range of projects that are at an early stage of development

Welcoming the funding today, Minister Rabbitte said:

 I am delighted to welcome the investment of €650,000 by Government today for six towns and villages across Galway, including Portumna, Tuam, Athenry, Ballinasloe, Casla and An Spideal. 

This funding is all about tackling the scourge of vacancy and dereliction in our rural towns and villages. It’s about taking old buildings and giving them a new lease of life.

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This investment today will breathe new life into the the likes of Portumna, which has been allocated €100,000 to enhance shop fronts and street facades. 

Minister Rabbitte welcomes €650,000 investment in six towns and villages across Galway 1
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It’s also great to see Tuam chosen as the one town in Galway to receive €100,000 under the Streetscape Enhancement Initiative, which sees retailers and property owners provided with grants that they can use to improve the facades of their buildings, carry out artwork or install features such as street furniture or canopies.

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There is also another €250,000 for the development of a remote working hub in Ballinasloe, where a long term vacant building is set to be refurbished.

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And another €50,000 has been set aside for the pre-planning assessment and design stages for a Community Hub in Athenry.

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It’s clear that 2023 is going to see a lot of development and upgrading of facilities, which is fantastic to see. 

Minister Rabbitte concluded:

Today’s funding is the largest ever investment under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and demonstrates this Government’s passion and ambition for our rural communities.