Fine Gael TD Martin Heydon is encouraging local groups and communities around Kildare to apply for funding under the 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme which has opened this week.

A total of €15m has been allocated to this year’s scheme, which is one element of a €30 million package of integrated supports announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring.

“The Town and Village Renewal Scheme provides funding for projects which support Kildare towns and villages to be more attractive and sustainable. This year it will specifically support projects that aid the economic and social recovery of our towns and villages in response to COVID-19.

“There are many great projects in Kildare that were funded by this scheme including €80,000 which helped to start the very successful old hardware shop in Narraghmore and €200,000 each towards new public squares in Rathangan and Kilcullen.

“A new standalone measure under this year’s scheme will provide accelerated support for Kildare towns and villages in to adapt to public health requirements such as social distancing in the short term, and to encourage increased footfall.

“The sort of initiatives that could be supported in Kildare include projects to temporarily repurpose or pedestrianise public areas to facilitate street trading; the development of an online platform to promote retailers and small scale events that attract people back into town centres safely.

The funding rate that will apply to projects approved under the scheme this year, has increased from 80% to a maximum of 90%.  This should ensure that the requirement on businesses, communities and Local Authorities to source match funding is kept to a minimum.”

ENDS

Note to Editors:

The Town & Village Renewal Scheme provides funding for projects that make our towns and villages more attractive and sustainable.

The Scheme has previously invested in public-realm projects and the enhancement of town centre amenities, interventions to encourage town centre living and projects that support the economic development of our towns and villages.

Applications under the Scheme are submitted to the Department of Rural & Community Development through the Local Authorities.

This year the scheme has been adapted in response to COVID-19 as follows:

A focus under the standard Town and Village Renewal Scheme on interventions that can respond to the new challenges associated with COVID-19 and support the economic and social recovery of our rural towns and villages. The closing date for the submission of application is 28th August 2020.
The introduction of a new strand of the Town & Village Renewal Scheme that will support accelerated interventions that can be delivered in the short-term to assist towns and villages to adapt to COVID-19. This will be delivered through two funding rounds. The closing dates for each funding round are 3rd July 2020 and 14th August 2020.

Full details of the 2020 Town & Village Scheme are available at https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/01125e-town-and-village-renewal-scheme/.