Thirteen Donegal projects are to receive €1.15M under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
The funding will see funding to digital hubs in Kilcar, Carrigart/Downings and on Arranmore Island as well as enhancement schemes in Newtowncunningham, Falcarragh, Convoy, Ballyliffin, Burtonport, Churchill, Dunkineely, Mountcharles, Rathmullan and St Johnston.
The funding to Donegal was the third highest in the country.
“The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is an important part of Fine Gael’s work to rejuvenate and revitalise rural Ireland and should have a significant impact on towns and villages across the county,” said Government Chief Whip Joe McHugh TD.
“Here in Donegal we 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 our town and village centres, to help make them more attractive places in which to live and work and to visit.
“Thanks to Minister Michael Ring today, we will see digital hubs developed on Arranmore, in Carrigart and Kilcar. Elsewhere imaginative projects around health, well-being, tourism and other projects will enhance villages and towns like Convoy, Rathmullan and Churchill.
“I want to thank the Donegal County Council 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.”
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, said: “Following on from the success of the 2016 scheme, I am delighted to be able to allocate €21.6 million for projects in 281 towns and villages right across rural Ireland.
“This allocation more than doubles the €10 million allocated to the Town and Village Renewal Scheme last year. This is a clear indication of the Government’s commitment to making rural Ireland a more vibrant and sustainable place to live. This funding will be put to good use over the coming twelve months for the benefit of the people who live in rural Ireland.”
The allocation of €21 million by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Town and Village Renewal scheme follows the roll out earlier this year of a range of other initiatives to support rural Ireland, including the CLÁR scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure scheme and the Local Improvement Scheme.
The full breakdown of the €1,159,000.00 allocated for Donegal projects is as follows;
- Falcarragh: Village Enhancement works – €80,000.00
- Arranmore Island: Digital Hub – €100,000.00
- Ballyliffin: Tourism – €100,000.00
- Burtonport: Village Enhancement works – €75,000.00
- Carrigart & Downings: Digital Hub – €200,000.00
- Church hill: Health Check – €79,600.00
- Convoy: Village enhancement works – €70,400.00
- Dunkineely: Health Check/Refurbishment – €100,000.00
- Kilcar: Digital Hub – €42,000.00
- Mountcharles: Streetscape – €100,000.00
- Newtowncunningham: Information Kiosk – €76,000.00
- Rathmullen: Village Enhancement works – €76,000.00
- ST Johnston: Village Enhancement works – €60,000.00
