Renewal funding expanded to include Covid measures

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is being expanded to include funding for measures to restrict the spread of Coronavirus.

Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys is urging communities to apply for funding under the third round of the scheme before the end of the month.

Successful projects could include outdoor areas to accommodate social distancing and equipment to run local events.

As part of the changes, 41 towns with populations of over 10,000 will be eligible to apply for funding for the first time specifically for Covid-related measures.

These include towns such as Cavan, Sligo, Tralee, Naas, Enniscorthy, Wicklow and Maynooth. "These towns can each apply for up to €40,000 to increase footfall and social activity in towns and address social distancing measures that we all now face as a result of Covid-19," explained the Cavan Monaghan TD.

The move means that these towns will be assisted in funding projects for Covid-related projects, such as:

- The creation of outdoor areas to accommodate social interactions in a safe environment to include furniture and awnings.

- Enhancement of town centres by painting, cleaning and improving pedestrian access.

- Provision of equipment to run local festivals or events to bring people back into towns and villages.

- The enhancement of community centres to accommodate remote working.

- The purchase of outdoor cinemas or other equipment that will help create social environments in a safe way.

The Minister has also increased the number of applications that local authorities can submit under the scheme, which should result in increased funding for towns and villages.

“I would encourage these towns, as well as towns and villages with populations of below 10,000, to engage with their local authority to identify projects that will benefit their towns and help to bring confidence back to communities, businesses and enterprises in their locality,” she said.

Minister Humphreys concluded: “The Government’s commitment to supporting our Towns and Villages was evident in the July Stimulus Package, which included a €10m injection into this scheme to bring the total level of funding this year to €25 million.

“Last month, I approved the first tranche of funding under this Scheme - €2.8m – to assist 106 towns and villages in adapting to the challenges posed by Covid-19."