TWO LIMERICK towns have been awarded €30,000 each under the Department of Local Government’s Town Centre First programme.
The programme, officially launched by Limerick TD and Minister of State for Local Government and Planning Kieran O’Donnell, as well as Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys, contain proposals from locals with ways to rejuvenate Irish towns and villages.
Abbeyfeale was awarded €30,000 to implement the Town Centre First plan completed for the town, with a newly-appointed Town Regeneration Officer in place to oversee the plan’s implementation.
Rathkeale will be among the next batch of towns to develop a Town Centre First plan, and was also awarded €30,000 to do so.
The Town Centre First plans aim to give towns across Ireland the tools and resources they need to become more viable and attractive places in which to live, work, visit, and run a business.
Welcoming the news, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell, said: “This government has committed to multi-billion euro investment in regenerating and revitalising towns and urban centres across Ireland.”
“The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is supporting the delivery of the Town Centre First policy approach through major funding schemes such as the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, the Croí Cónaithe Fund and Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the ERDF supported THRIVE Fund.”
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, added that: “These plans and the new Town Regeneration Officers are about ensuring there is a strategic and coherent approach at local level to tackling vacancy and dereliction in our towns and villages.”
