New remote working hubs and community centres are on the way.
The Government has announced that €21.5 million will be spent on 27 regeneration projects in rural communities around the country.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys made the announcement on Thursday (6 January).
The plans involve repurposing old, derelict, and historical buildings into remote working hubs, as well as enterprise, cultural and community facilities.
“In 2022, we will continue to roll-out unprecedented levels of investment in Rural Ireland – making our towns and villages even better places to live, work, raise a family and run a business," Humphreys said.
“Today’s announcement is proof of our strong commitment to supporting our rural communities both economically and socially.
“The projects being invested in represent the huge ambition that underpins ‘Our Rural Future’ and will have a truly transformational impact right across the country.
“When complete, these projects will leave a lasting difference on these locations for generations to come, benefitting tens of thousands of families in Rural Ireland,” she added.
Here's the full list of future renovations:
- Rathvilly, Carlow - Multi-purpose hub - €222,394
- Belturbet, Cavan - Multi-purpose hub - €263,700
- Scariff, Clare - Multi-service hub - €655,000
- Fermoy, Cork - Craft Makers hub - €1,925,000
- Macroom, Cork - Renovated town centre - €494,000
- Buncrana, Donegal - Renovated shore front - €1,461,745
- Cill Ulta, Donegal - Northwest Bioeconomy Hub - €245,149
- Gort, Galway - Market Square redesign - €998,230
- Listowel, Kerry - Renovated town centre - €911,630
- Killorglin, Kerry - Multifunction hub - €1,202,250
- Callan, Kilkenny - Regenerated town centre - €1,077,334
- Borris-in Ossory, Laois - Remote working and community facilities - €265,415
- Drumshanbo, Leitrim - Exchange Smart Working Hub and Creative Studios - €745,362
- Ardagh Abbeyfeale, Limerick - Renovated heritage buildings - €750,000
- Granard, Longford - Multi-use open space and parkland - €1,394,250
- Dunshaughlin, Meath - Multi-purpose community space - €1,190,750
- Oldcastle, Meath - Renovated town centre - €1,068,127
- Carrickmacross, Monaghan - Community hub - €330,760
- Lough Egish, Monaghan - Expanded Lough Egish Food Park - €732,262
- Edenderry, Offaly - Community library - €2,686,760
- Ferbane, Offaly - Multi-purpose community and enterprise hub - €683,000
- Monksland, Roscommon - New community hub - €1,508,930
- Strokestown, Roscommon - Redeveloped town centre - €700,468
- Ballisodare, Sligo - New town parks - €725,000
- Nenagh, Tipperary - Digital and enterprise hub - €1,511,059
- Dungarvan, Waterford - Digital Transformation Hub - €1,743,528
- Blessington, Wicklow - eHub and visitors centre - €1,293,380
“The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, along with the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund, is delivering unprecedented levels of investment to rural communities," Humphreys said.
“This Fund alone has now delivered €277 million in funding for 191 projects worth a total of €374 million.
“I’m particularly pleased to see that so many projects being supported today will provide remote working opportunities for tens of thousands of people.
“Remote Working is now very much part of the fabric of Rural Ireland due to Covid-19.
“By continuing to invest in remote working facilities - by turning old, run-down buildings into digital hubs, we will ensure more of our young people can work and live in their own community.”
