• Projects include outdoor areas to accommodate social distancing and equipment to run local events
• Minister Heather Humphreys encourages communities to apply before August 28th

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced the expansion of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

As part of the changes, 41 towns with populations of over 10,000 will be eligible to apply for funding for the first time specifically for Covid-related measures.

These include towns such Sligo, Tralee, Naas, Cavan, Enniscorthy, Wicklow and Maynooth.

The move means that these towns will be assisted in funding projects for Covid-related projects, such as;

• The creation of outdoor areas to accommodate social interactions in a safe environment to include furniture and awnings.
•  Enhancement of town centres by painting, cleaning and improving pedestrian access.
• Provision of equipment to run local festivals or events to bring people back into towns and villages.
• The enhancement of community buildings to accommodate remote working.

Minister Humphreys has also increased the number of applications that Local Authorities can submit for other smaller towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000 people.

The Minister is encouraging communities to submit their applications through their Local Authority by August 28^th.

Minister Humphreys commented:

“We are all aware of how hard it has been to keep our towns open for business during Covid-19.

“That’s why I am delighted to be able to announce these further measures today.

“I am particularly pleased by the inclusion of 41 larger towns who are now eligible to apply. These towns can each apply for up to €40,000 to increase footfall and social activity in towns and address social distancing measures that we all now face as a result of Covid-19.

“I would encourage these large towns, as well as towns and villages with populations of below 10,000, to engage with their Local Authority to identify projects that will help to bring confidence back to communities and businesses in their locality.”

Minister Humphreys continued:

“The Government’s commitment to supporting our Towns and Villages was evident in the July Stimulus Package, which included a €10m injection into this scheme to bring the total level of funding this year to €25 million.

“Last month, I approved the first tranche of funding under this Scheme – €2.8m – to assist 106 towns and villages in adapting to the challenges posed by Covid-19.”

The closing date for this new round of funding is 28^th August 2020 with the initiative for the larger towns also closing on the same date.

Details of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme are here.

The list of 41 large towns that can submit an application for funding of up to €40,000 is here.