‍ Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has today approved €7.5 million in funding to re-develop 36 derelict and vacant properties in rural Ireland into new community hubs.

The funding, under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, will see former banks, Garda stations and courthouses taken into public ownership and converted for community use.

The scheme is designed to tackle the scourge of dereliction in rural towns and villages and deliver new facilities that will benefit communities.

The Minister today revealed the first tranche of properties that will be purchased under the initiative, including:

• The     former Garda Station in Tarmonbarry and Ballintubber, Co Roscommon
• The     former Courthouse in New Ross and former Bank of Ireland Building at Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford
• The     former Bank of Ireland Building in Rathkeale, Co Limerick
• The     former Garda Station in Ashford and the former Bank of Ireland Building in  Carnew, Co Wicklow
• The     FCA Hall in Mitchelstown, Co Cork
• The     former Bank of Ireland Building in Cootehill, Co Cavan
• A     former commercial property in Athenry, Co Galway

Under the Scheme, local authorities were asked by the Department to engage with the local community to identify suitable properties to turn into the likes of community and enterprise hubs, remote facilities and youth centres.

Some 36 properties have now been identified as part of a €7.5 million investment.

Further properties will be announced once the local authority has finalised the sales process. 

 Commenting today, Minister Humphreys said:

“This scheme is all about tackling the scourge of vacancy and dereliction in our rural towns and villages.

“It’s about taking those old run-down buildings that have been lying idle for far too long.

“Now, they will begiven a new lease of life and converted into community hubs.

“The list I am publishing today includes old Garda stations, bank buildings and even a former Courthouse.

“These will now betaken into public ownership and, most importantly, will be turned into spaces where the local community can gather and hold events.”

The Minister added:

“This initiative goes to the heart of what ‘Our Rural Future’ is all about – regenerating our towns and villages and making them better places to live, work and raise a family.

“Our local authorities have identified 36 properties in total and as the sales processes are agreed I will be in a position to announce further projects in the future.

“As these buildings are redeveloped, they will become important assets for local communities and will ensure that our rural towns and villages continue to be at the centre of our national wellbeing.

“Over the coming months, we will see the development of community spaces, remote working and youth facilities or enterprise hubs.

“Today’s funding announcement will ensure that communities have the resources to develop new amenities and facilities in line with needs they have identified themselves.

“I want to pay tribute to the local communities who have responded to this initiative with enthusiasm – working alongside their local authority to make this happen.”

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