Joe O'Brien - Green Party
Turning our Fingal public spaces into performance platforms
11th February, 2021
Outdoor Public Space scheme is a chance to transform our public spaces – Joe O’Brien
Fingal TD, Joe O’Brien welcomed the announcement by his party colleague, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D. that a new funding scheme has been launched to help local authorities open up and create public spaces and facilities dedicated to the arts, culture and festivals.
The scheme will be known as the Outdoor Public Space Scheme 2021. The support will allow Fingal County Council to adapt, equip or otherwise improve public spaces for cultural and events activities. This new scheme will take account of public health guidelines and of the needs of local arts and entertainment communities.
Minister O’Brien said: “One of the key recommendations in the Programme for Government negotiations was to “develop and strengthen Ireland’s image as an outdoor activity holiday destination” and also “develop a new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy. This funding is the first step towards this.”
“In Fingal we have a wealth of fantastic outdoor public spaces which could be used for events and activities. As part of this scheme Fingal County Council can apply for a capital grant of up to €250,000 for projects that focus on the delivery of infrastructure to support arts, culture, creative activities, entertainment events and festivals and the Night-time Economy.”
“There are very real opportunities for us to build and develop tourism within Fingal, we have one of the most stunning coastlines, breath-taking views and historic and well maintained castles. Schemes such as this will help the Council deliver projects which can support and encourage tourism both locally and further afield.”
Local Green Party Councillor, Karen Power said;
“This is great news for Fingal, there are many great spaces in Skerries such as Floraville, Skerries Mills and others that would be idea for such funding.
“As well as this it presents additional opportunities for the Our Balbriggan project to look at opening up public spaces within the town using this funding in order to contribute to the overall success of the project.”
For more information contact Karen.Power@oir.ie