Town and Village Renewal Scheme needs to be an annual allocation

Fianna Fáil TD for Roscommon-Galway Eugene Murphy has hit out at critics of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme as he believes the 10million euro allocation will go some way towards injecting a well needed boost to local towns and villages throughout the country.

“The fund will see over 200 villages and towns benefit and the grant of 380,000 for County Roscommon will give a boost to many small towns and villages which have struggled with economic decline in recent times. It would be very easy for Opposition TDs to criticise the scheme and be negative about the amount of money allocated but I think it will bring a welcome boost for rural areas. I will however be calling for clarification as to whether this scheme will be renewed each year as an annual allocation could help communities continue to build and enhance on works,” said Deputy Murphy.

“Many rural towns and villages have been by-passed over the past number of years and many small businesses which are vital to the economic lifeblood of an area are struggling to survive. Along with this Town and Village Renewal Scheme funding we need to ensure that the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’ Connor keeps true to her promise that she will focus on job creation in rural counties. It is vital that small businesses and enterprise are the top of the list when it comes to funding and support to ensure that our towns and villages not only survive but thrive,” said Deputy Murphy.