Eight towns and villages throughout Roscommon are being recommended for funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
As expected, the six towns which are part of the Town Team Initiative – Ballaghadereen, Boyle, Castlerea, Monksland, Roscommon town and Strokestown have all had their expressions of interest forwarded to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. In addition, applications from Keadue and Cootehall have been put forward.
Funding will be allocated to meet up to 85% of the total cost of each project with Roscommon County Council being allocated a total of €380,000. Match funding of 15% is also required and can be provided through a mixture of cash and ‘in kind’ contribution.
Boyle has applied for the largest sum; €73,195. Ballaghaderreen and Castlerea have both applied applied for €72,324. The Town Team in Roscommon town has applied for €70,581 while the Monksland and Strokestown teams have applied for €45,000 each. Keadue has applied for €44,133, while Cootehall has applied for €24,000.
A wide range of projects are set to benefit from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The Monksland application relates to the expansion of the local Playground Facility while the Keadue application includes walkways, lighting, safety rails and more.
Commenting on the news Eugene Murphy TD said
“Such funding will give a boost to many small towns and villages which have struggled with economic decline in recent times and the funding will go some way towards helping to improve the living and working environment of communities and increase their potential to support increased economic activity into the future. I would like to see this scheme being renewed each year as an annual allocation could help communities continue to build and enhance on works and I would also like to see to see some other strands of funding being made available to towns such as Elphin, Rooskey and Tarmonbarry,” said Deputy Murphy.
“Many rural towns and villages have been by-passed over the past number of years and many small businesses which are vital to the economic lifeblood of an area are struggling to survive. Along with this Town and Village Renewal Scheme funding we need to ensure that the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’ Connor keeps true to her promise that she will focus on job creation in rural counties. It is vital that small businesses and enterprise are the top of the list when it comes to funding and support to ensure that our towns and villages not only survive but thrive,” said Deputy Murphy.