Renewal projects given cash boost

An extra €280,000 is to be provided to boost four urban and village renewal projects across the country, the Government announced today.

Environment Minister Dick Roche said the new funds were in addition to the €11m euro made available for regeneration work in cities, towns and villages last March.

Under the EU co-financed Urban & Village Renewal Measure, additional funding is provided towards exceptional projects, which demonstrate an innovative approach in selection and design.

The aim of the funding is to raise the standard of projects submitted and to reward good quality and unique plans.

Four projects put forward for additional exceptional funding will each receive €70,000.

“This is the largest allocation yet that my Department has provided for Exceptional Projects within the Urban and Village Renewal Programme, and is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the local authorities staff whose work and efforts make this programme a success,” Mr Roche said.

The four projects are: Ballinasloe Riverside Park, Galway, Mardyke Pedestrian Bridge and Walkway, Cork, Fair Green Area, Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary and the Sandycove/Newtownsmith Coastal Improvement Scheme in Dun Laoghaire.