From Department of Rural and Community Development
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Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has visited County Tipperary to open and visit new rural development projects that have received investment of over €7 million from her Department.
The visit is part of a nationwide tour to promote Our Rural Future, the Government’s new rural development strategy, which aims to revitalise towns and villages, promote remote working, and ensure balanced regional development.
The Minister’s visit began in Carrick on Suir where she unveiled new enhancements to the Suir Blueway designed to improve accessibility and upgrade existing walking and cycling routes.
While in Carrick on Suir the Minister also visited Stable Lane Digital Hub, which provides co-working and hot-desking facilities. The Hub, which was recently awarded funding from the Minister’s Department, is part of Government’s Connected Hubs initiative which aims to maximise opportunities for remote working in rural areas.
The next stop was in Clonmel where the Minister officially opened the refurbished Suir Island House. This refurbishment and the re-watering of Mill Race at Suir Island, were part of the Suir Blueway project funded under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
The Minister then went on to Tipperary Town for the official opening of the Market Yard, part of the Tipperary Town Regeneration Project.
The new Market Yard will breathe new life into the town with a number of benefits including larger pedestrianised areas and space for outdoor market stalls.
Speaking in Tipperary Town the Minister said:
“I know the enhancement of the Market Yard has been a long term goal of the community and Tipperary County Council and I wish to congratulate you on delivering this project. Tipperary Town will be further enhanced when the second part of this project, the River Ara Walkway is completed, linking the town centre with the natural amenity of the River Ara. Investing in projects like these underpins my determination as Minister to ensure our town centres are vibrant and attractive places to live, work and to visit.”
The next stop on the itinerary was a visit to Thurles, to review another large regeneration project that will involve the renovation of a vacant 19th century agricultural building to create the Thurles Market Quarter.
The project was originally awarded over €2.8 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and the Minister recently approving additional funding of €549,269 to ensure it is completed to a high standard.
The Minister then departed for Templemore to turn the sod on a new Cultural and Enterprise Centre and Civic Plaza.
The project was previously approved for funding of €2.1 million under the RRDF.
When complete, it will conserve and re-establish Templemore Town Hall as the economic, cultural and community hub of the town.
Speaking in Templemore the Minister said:
“I am delighted to be here today to witness the commencement of this hugely promising project for Templemore and County Tipperary. The regeneration of the historic town centre and the creation of the new multi-functional centre will transform Templemore into a tourism, cultural and education destination. The new centre will include an innovation space, remote working facilities and training, support and advisory services. These facilities are essential to providing an opportunity for more people to live in rural communities while following their career ambitions.”
The visit concluded with the official opening of new amenities at Garrykennedy Forest Walk which were funded through the Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme.
Please find full details of the investments and projects launched/visited as part of the Minister’s engagements in Tipperary.
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.
Rural Regeneration and Development
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 €255m for 164 projects across Ireland, worth a total of €347m.
In relation to projects in County Tipperary, the Fund has provided almost €13.5m for 10 projects worth a total of €18.8m
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding as follows:
Funding of up to 90% of the total approved project costs is awarded, with the additional 10% to be provided from other sources.
All measures under ORIS are supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development in partnership with Fáilte Ireland.
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.