Press release
Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys opens projects across Monaghan
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, today (Friday, 26th April) officially opened a series of projects across Monaghan funded by her Department as part of Our Rural Future.
The Minister’s first engagement was at main street in Newbliss where she viewed work underway on the €2.7 million Rural Regeneration Project, which will see a former Courthouse converted into Enterprise and Digital Hub.
Speaking about the Newbliss Regeneration Project the Minister said:
“I wish to congratulate everyone involved in this project, which will see the old Newbliss courthouse transformed into an Digital and Community Hub that will benefit the whole community. Projects funded by my Department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund are delivering vibrant and liveable town centres and ensuring that rural communities can prosper over the months and years ahead.”
The Minister was also at St. Enda’s National School in Scotshouse for the opening of new Car Park facilities and safe walking route.
The Minister then travelled to Clones for a series of events that included:
While in Clones the Minister also took time to visit the Marina where work is ongoing to restore the Clones section of the Ulster Canal, creating a navigation channel extending from Clones to the Clonfad Aqueduct.
Speaking about the Ulster Canal Restoration Project the Minister said:
“I have long been a champion of Ulster Canal Restoration Project, which has profound symbolic meaning for communities on both sides of the border. This hugely significant project is a game-changer for Clones and our border region. Once finished people will be able to travel by boat to Clones all the way from Limerick. I was very pleased to provide funding of €5.57 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.”
The final engagement of the day was at Official Opening of Éire Óg GFC’s Community Walking Track and MUGA playground in Smithborough which received funding from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
This project includes the construction of a walking track with lighting around the Eire Og Na Mullai GAA club and astro-turf facilities at Railway Park in the village of Smithborough.
The Department of Rural and Community Development was established to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland.
Its focus is on strengthening community resilience and social cohesion, supporting communities so that they are empowered to face current and future challenges.
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.
The Department of Rural and Community Development has invested over €53 million in projects in County Monaghan since 2020.
Rural Regeneration and Development Fund
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in villages and villages and rural areas across Ireland. In total the Fund has now provided over €395 million for 215 projects across Ireland, worth a total of €542 million.
To date in Monaghan, the Fund has provided over €24.7 million for 13 projects costing €35.1 million.