Town and Village scheme will help response to Covid-19 – Burke

(Above) Peter Burke, TD, with Michael Ring, TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development.

Westmeath groups are being encouraged to apply for funding under the 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, by Fine Gael TD Peter Burke.

A total of €15m has been allocated to this year’s scheme, one element of a €30 million package of integrated supports announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring.

“The Town and Village Renewal Scheme provides funding for projects which support Westmeath towns and villages to be more attractive and sustainable,” said Deputy Burke.

“This year it will specifically support projects that aid the economic and social recovery of our towns and villages in response to Covid-19.

“The scheme is a perfect fit for Westmeath as we have a good mix of towns and villages, which, due to their population, are eligible to apply.

“The scheme has seen significant investment in Westmeath towns in the last three years since a standalone Ministry for Rural Affairs was set up by the Fine Gael-led government and spear headed by Minister Michael Ring.

Castletown Geoghegan, Ballinagore, Collinstown, Clonmellon, and Ballinahown all received €100,000 last November in this scheme, and Moate received €200,000.

“Our towns and villages are at the heart of our economic and social activity and will play a pivotal role in providing safe spaces for people to meet and do business as the current restrictions are eased in line with the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.

“A new standalone measure under this year’s scheme will provide accelerated support for towns and villages in to adapt to public health requirements such as social distancing in the short term, and to encourage increased footfall.

“The sort of initiatives that could be supported include projects to temporarily re-purpose or pedestrianise public areas to facilitate street trading; the development of an online platform to promote retailers and small scale events that attract people back into town centres safely.

“Other parts of the €30m package of supports are the CLÁR Programme and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, which will be announced later. This funding comes from the department’s Rural Development Investment Programme is funded under Project Ireland 2040.”

Minister Ring said: “Along with the other elements of my department’s Rural Development Investment Programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme represents a real opportunity to invest further in the sustainability of our rural communities.

“I have increased the funding rate that will apply to projects approved under the scheme this year, from 80% to a maximum of 90%. This should ensure that the requirement on businesses, communities and Local Authorities to source match funding is kept to a minimum.”