Rural funding equates to €50k per area

THE financial package for the regeneration of selected rural towns and villages announced by Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Heather Humphreys yesterday (August 9) amounts to less than €50,000 for each area chosen in Kerry.

The minister confirmed that a total of €10m will be made available to local authorities this year to support the regeneration of rural towns and villages across Ireland – meaning that €380,000 will be available for up to eight towns or villages in Kerry.

Independent TD Michael Healy Rae described the announcement as “a step in the right direction” but said the funding still doesn’t go nearly far enough.

“The last government totally neglected rural locations,” Deputy Healy Rae told The Kerryman. “They engaged in financial and organisational policies that were disastrous for rural Ireland.”

“Maybe they’ve learned something from their mistakes. But a total of €380,000 between eight towns and villages, which is less than €50,000 for each, still isn’t nearly enough to solve the issues in these areas.”

Minister Humphreys’ announcement at the launch of the Rural Town and Village Renewal scheme has been welcomed by Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin.

“I’m calling on Kerry County Council to apply for the full allocation that’s available, €380,000, in order to ensure that communities and businesses in the county can benefit fully from this scheme.”

“The funding can be used to increase the attractiveness of the funded towns or villages as a local commercial and social centre, and increase its sustainability as a place in which to live and work.”

Local Authorities who will be required to partner local businesses and communities in using their allocation.

Minister Humphreys rejected criticism from TDs, which included claims that the funding would not achieve anything significant. A total of 200 towns and villages nationwide are set to receive funding under the scheme.