Donegal set to benefit from €20 million in funding for rural towns and villages as part of the Action Plan for Rural Development.

Donegal Government TD Joe McHugh says this will bring tangible benefits to people and revitalise rural communities in the county.

“The funding announced this week by Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys, is great news for rural Ireland and I strongly encourage Donegal County Council to apply,” said Minister of State McHugh.

“The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is an initiative under the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development, Realising our Rural Potential, and is part of a package of national and local support measures to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland.”

The Scheme will be funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and administered by the Local Authorities.

McHugh went on: “Fine Gael in Government is using the resources created by our strong economy to deliver real benefits to people and communities all across the country.  The Government’s new Action Plan for Rural Ireland contains over 270 targeted actions that will help to deliver these benefits to people here in Donegal.

“Up to 300 towns and villages across the State will benefit from funding under the 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which will be made available through Local Authorities over the next 15 months to support rural regeneration.

“The scheme is specifically targeted at rural towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000. Applications from towns can range from €20,000 to a maximum of €100,000. Funding of up to €200,000 will also be considered for a limited number of projects which can deliver exceptionally strong economic benefit to a town and its outlying areas.

“A number of towns and villages across Donegal were badly affected by the recession of recent years.

“Part of Fine Gael’s Action Plan will review planning legislation to allow the change of use of vacant commercial properties in rural towns and villages. I hope to see this having an impact in towns and villages right across Donegal. I know the resilience of our people and their determination to make things better. I know Donegal County Council will help make a strong case for regeneration across our county.”

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