Murphy welcomes submission phase for Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Fianna Fáil TD for Roscommon-Galway Eugene Murphy has welcomed the fact that eight locations throughout County Roscommon have been selected for submission under the first phase of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with amounts varying from €24,000 to over €73,000.

“Total funding of €380,000 for County Roscommon will go some way towards injecting a well needed boost to local towns and villages throughout the country. Expressions of interest have been selected for submission to the Department of Arts including €73,195 for Boyle; €72,324 for Castlerea; €45,500 for Strokestown; €72,324 for Ballaghaderreen; €70,581 for Roscommon; €45,000 for Monksland; €44,133 for Keadue and €24,000 for Cootehall.

“Such funding will give a boost to many small towns and villages which have struggled with economic decline in recent times and the funding will go some way towards helping to improve the living and working environment of communities and increase their potential to support increased economic activity into the future. Match funding of 15% is also required and can be provided through a mixture of cash and ‘in kind’ contribution.

I would like to see this scheme being renewed each year as an annual allocation could help communities continue to build and enhance on works and I would also like to see to see some other strands of funding being made available to towns such as Elphin, Rooskey and Tarmonbarry,” 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.