Press release
Michael Ring officially opens the new Ennistymon Digital Hub and Multi Service Centre
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
Mr Michael Ring TD, the Minister for Rural and Community Development , today officially opened the Ennistymon Digital Hub and Multi Service Centre, which was funded under the Government’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, established as part of Project Ireland 2040 .
The Ennistymon Digital Hub and Multi Service Centre is a multifunctional space where enterprise and community work can foster and develop. The rejuvenated town centre building is designed to enhance job creation and retention and also deliver community and family resource services to disadvantaged sectors of the community.
Speaking today at the opening of the Ennistymon Digital Hub and Multi Service Centre, Minister Ring said :
“The €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), administered by my Department, is a key part of Project Ireland 2040. It seeks to support strategic, large-scale projects which have the potential to drive economic and social progress in rural Ireland.
“The Ennistymon Digital Hub and Multi Service Centre, led by Clare County Council, was one of the first project funded under the €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development fund, a key part of Project Ireland 2040. I was delighted to have been in a position for allocate €1,023,300 from the Fund to complete this project
“The Ennistymon Digital Hub and Multi Service Centre has revitalised and regenerated the centre of Ennistymon and delivers key broadband, enterprise and community services. The Centre is a perfect example of the transformative impact the funding from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund has on a community. The Fund has been in operation for just a year and in that time I have announced funding of €148 million in funding for 112 projects in every county in Ireland.
“The Centre is the second project to be completed from the projects allocation funding from the first call under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the first project to be located in a town centre, achieving one of our key goals under Project Ireland 2040, to drive greater economic and social activity in rural towns and villages
“The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to make a significant impact which will transform rural communities, building their resilience and contribute to the objectives of Project Ireland 2040. Today I also had the opportunity to visit a project in Tulla that was awarded funding from the second call to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.”
The Tulla Multifunctional Performance Auditorium was awarded €900,000 in funding from the second call for funding under the RRDF. The Tulla Multifunctional Performance Auditorium is a regeneration project that will restore the former Mercy Convent School building in the centre of Tulla and develop a multi-functional performance space and auditorium that will enhance and support the town’s rich music and cultural heritage.
Minister Ring concluded :
“This Ennistymon Digital Hub and Multi Service Centre and the Tulla Multifunctional Performance Auditorium are excellent examples of how rural communities across the country are beginning to realise the benefits of the massive level of investment delivered by Project Ireland 2040 and the additional economic and social progress being achieved on foot of the funding. My Department and I will continue to advance the rural development agenda across Government and will continue to build on the excellent progress achieved to date.”
Project Ireland 2040 is the Government’s overarching policy and planning framework for the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland. It includes a detailed capital investment plan for the next ten years, the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2027, and the National Planning Framework which outlines the broader policy principles and priorities in planning for future population and economic growth to 2040.
Project Ireland 2040 established four new capital funds:
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund was established to deliver on the objective in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 of Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities and will be rolled out over a 10-year period. The Fund is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
The Fund will provide investment to support suitable projects in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas, which will deliver on the aims of Project Ireland 2040 and achieve sustainable economic and social development in these areas. Initial funding of €315 million has been allocated to the fund on a phased basis over the period 2019 to 2022.
Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories. Category 1 relates to projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed, while Category 2 projects are those which required further development to become ready for Category 1 status. The call the Minister is announcing today relates to Category 2, project development work which will assist a project to become ready for delivery.
The first call for applications to the Fund closed in September 2018. Arising from the first call, 38 successful Category 1 projects and 46 Category 2 projects were announced, with funding of €86m provided from the Fund to support projects worth €117m.
The second call for Category 1 applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed in August 2019. Arising from the second call, 26 projects were approved for funding of €62 million to support projects costing €95 million.
To date, the Fund has now provided €148 million for 110 projects across Ireland, worth a total of €212 million.
The second call for Category 2 applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund was announced on the 13th December 2019.
Category 2 relates to strategic, large-scale projects in rural communities at an early stage of development, which now require investment to reach the next stage where they are in a position to commence works and apply for Category 1 status under the Fund. Category 1 projects are strategic, large-scale projects which have full planning and other necessary