€691k for Wexford in Town & Village Renewal funding
THERE was good news for five Wexford towns and villages on Thursday as it was revealed they had been allocated €691,205 under the Government’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Having liaised with Minister for Rural and Community Development, Enniscorthy based Minister Paul Kehoe was delighted to reveal that projects in Ballindaggin, Bridgetown, Kilmuckridge, Foulksmills and Rosslare Harbour/Kilrane had all been successful in their quest for funding.
Wexford performed reasonably well in terms of the amount of funding allocated, receiving more than neighbouring Wicklow (€250,173), Waterford (€500,000), Carlow (€399,691) and Kilkenny (€391,600). This funding comes on top of €2.8 million allocated to Co Wexford in recent years under the scheme.
The largest sum of €200,000 will be granted to Kilmuckridge and will be used in order to fund the Kilmuckridge/Morriscastle Walking Path and Heritage trail. This was followed by Rosslare/ Kilrane which was allocated €195,385 to fund a public realm and economic master plan, a tourism feasibility study and a playground and outdoor equipment.
This news was greatly welcomed by Rosslare District Chairman Cllr Ger Carthy who said ‘As a committee member of the Rosslare Harbour/Kilrane Development team, it’s been a pleasure to assist in securing this funding. It’s a significant announcement of financial support to positively develop the area.’
€100,000 was allocated to Ballindaggin for vital renovations to be carried out on the community hall there, while another €100,000 was given to Foulksmills for the development of the local park there - something welcomed by local Fine Gael councillor Brídín Murphy.
Finally, €99,820 was allocated to Bridgetown to assist with a number of projects including a recreation park, an all weather walkway, agility equipment and to purchase equipment for Bridgetown Food Bank.
Commenting on the announcement, Minister Paul Kehoe said that it was part of a plan to breathe new life into rural communities.
‘Schemes like the Town and Village Renewal Scheme are an integral part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and Project Ireland 2040 and are helping to breath fresh life into rural communities up and down the country,’ he said.
‘ This is what the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development is about – rejuvenating towns, villages and rural communities and making them a better place to live, to work and to visit.’
‘I want to commend all the community activists and local people all of the successful Wexford areas for their huge efforts in securing this funding.’
‘I would encourage any Town or Village that wasn’t successful to apply again next year and I will assist you with your applications.’