Fingal Town and Villages share €190,000 in new funding from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Fingal Town and Villages share €190,000 in new funding from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The new funding will support projects in St. Margarets, Balrothery, Rolestown and Lusk.

Fingal County Council has been awarded €190,000 in funding by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The funding is aimed at helping communities respond to COVID-19 through the development of outdoor amenities and the enhancement of public spaces together with an emphasis on supporting remote working in rural communities.  

This funding, awarded under the latest round of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2020, brings the total funding awarded to 10 towns and villages in Fingal to over €422,000.

Funding of €21,600 will be provided for the upgrade of areas selected as Broadband Connection Points to facilitate remote working and digital access for the local population in Rolestown and Lusk (Man O War).

An award of €99,000 to Balrothery will allow for the development of new walking and cycling facilities, together with enhanced streetscape measures.

St. Margarets will benefit from grant aid of €69,525 to improve the local area with the development of a new green area with improvements to heritage assets and access in the village.

Welcoming the announcement of the new funding by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphries, TD, the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr David Healy, said “I welcome the Minister’s announcement. Active Travel is a priority for Fingal County Council so I particularly welcome funding for improved walking and cycling routes. The development of Broadband Connection Points is most welcome and will greatly benefit workers, students and the wider community in these areas”.

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly said “Fingal is at the forefront of the community response to Covid-19 and the Council will continue to lead the local response to the pandemic through community and business supports and infrastructure development. The Town & Village Scheme is one more source of such support, at a time when it is most needed”.

Fingal County Council’s Director of Economic, Enterprise, Tourism & Cultural Development, Emer O’Gorman, said: “This funding continues Fingal County Council’s success in securing additional resources for local areas during this challenging time. This year has been particularly difficult for businesses and communities alike and the Town & Village Scheme is just a further example of the ongoing investment in Fingal through a range of measures to stimulate business confidence and in helping communities become more resilient”.

Aoife Sheridan, Senior Executive Officer in the Economic, Enterprise, Tourism & Cultural Development Department welcomed announcement “The Council would like to thank the community groups who worked with, and assisted the Council, in developing the project applications. Fingal County Council looks forward to working with the communities in delivering these projects which will provide lasting benefits to the towns and villages concerned”.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is provided through the Department of Rural and Community Development to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland.