Under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, additional funding of over €15.4m has been made available to assist towns and villages to implement measures that can help them to respond to the challenges associated with Covid-19.

The funding, recently announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, is set to benefit 147 towns and villages and will finance a wide and diverse range of projects nationwide including walkways, community parks, outdoor cinemas, cycleways as well as the regeneration of derelict buildings and enhancement works at tourism attractions and other important local amenities.

Funding has also been provided for the development of a number of remote working facilities in rural towns and villages. Successful projects will see vacant buildings renovated and converted into digital hubs as well as adaptions to local community centres to provide for remote working and eLearning facilities.

“The funding is about helping communities get back on their feet and adapt to the ongoing challenges Covid-19 presents – it will help make our towns and villages safer places to live, work and do business,” the Minister noted.

In total, over 500 projects are now being supported with funding of more than €25m under the 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.