Joe O'Brien - Green Party
Joe O’Brien, Minister of State for Community Development and Charities Announces Over 190k Funding for Three Projects in Fingal
10th January, 2021
Funding for Balrothery, St Margarets, and Lusk is aimed at helping communities respond to Covid-19
Minister of State for Community Development and Charities and Green Party T.D for Fingal, Joe O’Brien and the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, have announced details of the projects that have been approved for funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
The focus of the funding is on measures and interventions that help towns and villages to adapt to social distancing requirements and to provide safe environments that encourage people into towns and villages to shop and socialise.
In the latest allocation of funding €190,125 has been approved for three projects in Fingal. In St Margarets, €69,525 has been allocated five locations for the enhancement of the physical environment to allow for safe outdoor recreation. In Rolestown and Luck the Broadband Connection Point venues have been awarded €21,600 to facilitate the upgrade of the interiors. In Balrothery, a substantial €99,000 has been allocated for the development of new walking and cycling facilities and streetscape enhancement measures in the village.
Speaking on the funding announcement, Minister O’Brien said;
“I’m delighted to announce the funding for projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The challenges of recent months have highlighted the central role that our towns and villages play in the lives of people in Fingal. They are where we live, work, shop and socialise.
“The impact of COVID-19 has brought changes to all of our daily lives, but the projects in St Margarets, Rolestown, Lusk and Balrothery will assist these rural towns and villages to adapt to those changes. It is important that we make our towns and villages all across Fingal as welcoming as possible and that we provide the infrastructure to allow people to engage with local shops and services, and with each other, in a safe manner at this time.”
“The €190,125 in funding allocated to these projects will mean they are delivered quickly and will help communities get back on their feet and adapt to the ongoing challenges Covid-19 presents.”
Welcoming the funding, Green Party Councillor for Skerries, Balbriggan, Balrothery and Loughshinny, Karen Power said”
“Fingal County Council, together with our local communities, have brought forward projects that will help meet the specific needs of people of St Margarets, Rolestown, Lusk and Balrothery. This funding will help these communities to adapt to the specific challenges posed by COVID-19 (for example, social distancing) and to increase footfall and generate economic activity in the short-term.”
“Covid_19 has highlighted the importance of getting outdoors for exercise and for the benefit of our mental health. I am delighted that these projects will support the development of recreational amenities such as walkways, cycleways and enhanced outdoor amenities.”
“In particular I am pleased to see the funding announcement for Balrothery. Working closely with the Balrothery Community Council I know the importance of providing this infrastructure in the village”
For further information contact: Karen Power: karen.power@oireachtas.ie