Press release
Our Rural Future Roadshow: Minister Humphreys opens rural development projects in Sligo
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today, visited and opened a series of rural development projects in Sligo.
The Minister started her visit at Aughris Coastal Walk and went on to visit Kilglass Community Centre before traveling to Waterpoint, Aqua Park and Waterpoint Playground in Enniscrone. She then went on to Castle Field Trail.
While in Enniscrone she also announced more than €850,000 funding under the Project Development Measure of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
Speaking in Enniscrone, Minister Humphreys said:
“Today I have had the opportunity of visiting some fantastic projects in Sligo which I know will serve communities well. Whether it is walks by the sea, playgrounds or communities centres, these are excellent facilities for local people to take advantage of and will attract even more tourists to Sligo. Here in Enniscrone I announced €862,547 under the Project Development Measure of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme where 19 towns and villages will benefit and develop impactful rural regeneration projects.
The Minister also opened other new rural development projects in the county as part of a nationwide tour to promote Our Rural Future.
Our Rural Future is the Government’s new rural development strategy, which aims to revitalise towns and villages, promote remote working, and ensure balanced regional development.
After Enniscrone, the Minister continued on to Tubbercurry where she opened An Chroí, a remote working Hub, and announced a partnership between Connected Hubs and technology giant Zoom.
While in Tubbercurry she visited Áit an Tobair and Páirc na gCairde playground and adjoining carpark at South Sligo Community Park. She concluded her visit to Sligo by unveil the plaque at the Carney Trail before visiting the Armada 1588: Shipwreck & Survival project in Grange
Speaking about visit to Sligo, Minister Humphreys said:
“Having had the pleasure of visiting Sligo today I know that as a country we have the facilities to help people to enjoy their communities after the restrictions of the last two years. In addition to announcing funding for towns and villages today, I was delighted to open the remote working hub, An Chroí, in Tubbercurry. These hubs continue to open across the country and are part of the Government’s big campaign to make remote working a reality for thousands of workers.”
The Minister concluded:
“The projects I have visited today are helping to realise the vision outlined in Our Rural Future, the Government’s five-year strategy for rural Ireland, which is for a thriving rural Ireland full of people, places and possibilities.”
Please find full details of the investments and projects launched as part of the Minister’s engagements in Sligo.
Our Rural Future
Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. It represents a new milestone in the approach to rural development policy for Ireland and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas.
Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC)
The Atlantic Economic Corridor is a collaborative initiative between the public and private sectors to maximise the assets along Ireland’s western seaboard and connect the economic hubs, clusters and catchments of the region to attract investment, support job creation and contribute to the government’s regional development objectives. The counties covered by the AEC area are: Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick, and Kerry.
This project has now been scaled into what is known as The National Hub Network and it is branded under connectedhubs.ie
CLÁR
The CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development. CLÁR is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that aims to provide funding for small projects in areas that have experienced significant depopulation in the past. The aim of CLÁR is to support the sustainable development of identified CLÁR areas with the aim of maintaining the population of those areas. There are designated CLÁR areas in all counties with the exception of Dublin, Kildare and Wexford.
Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure. It also provides support for the necessary repair, maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas across Ireland. ORIS provides funding for the development of new and existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas. It funds trails, cycleways, blueways, bridleways, outdoor amenities located near rivers, lakes and beaches.
Rural Economic Development Zone (REDZ)
Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) are defined as sub county zones within which most people live and work. REDZ are functional geographic areas that reflect how local economic activities and development are spread throughout a region. It was replaced by the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
Rural Regeneration and Development Fund
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is a commitment of €1 billion by government to be invested in rural Ireland over the period 2019 to 2027.
In total the Fund has now provided over €278 million for 191 projects across the country worth a total of €376 million.
The Town & Village Renewal Scheme
The Town & Village Renewal Scheme provides funding for projects that make our towns and villages more attractive and sustainable. Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, almost €93 million has been allocated to more than 1,300 projects across Ireland. The Scheme has supported settlements the length and breadth of the country.