Over €750,000 approved for Roscommon-East Galway under Town & Village renewal scheme

In East Galway, Infrastructure, News, West-Roscommon by Denis Naughten

Local Minister Denis Naughten has confirmed that nine projects in Roscommon & East Galway have been awarded funding totalling over €750,000 under the Government’s Town & Village Renewal Scheme. This includes projects in Elphin, Castlerea, Boyle, Monksland, Portrun, Ballyleague, Ballyfarnon, Ballygar & Ballinasloe.

The scheme is specifically targeted at improving facilities and enhancing the quality of life in rural towns and villages and is funded by the Department of Rural Affairs under the leadership of Minister Michael Ring TD.

“Included in the approval is €100,000 funding for the town of Elphin to help support a plan developed by the community to refurbish the former secondary school building into a training/community/enterprise hub. At least six units are to be made available for rent on a short-term basis,” explained Minister Naughten.

“The €100,000 funding for Castlerea will enhance Castlerea Enterprise Hub and An Chistin Food Hub while in Ballyfarnon the €91,200 funding will be used to support local plans to improve the village’s sporting and amenity facilities as well as the restoration old court house premises. The court house has the potential to become an enterprise hub with the roll out of 1000mbps broadband to the village in 2018.”

Other projects to receive funding locally include €78,000 for marina enhancements in Ballyleague; €100,000 for a scattered hotel in Boyle; €56,000 for Monksland community park and €50,000 for Portrun.

In addition funding has been approved of €100,000 for line marking and footpaths in Ballinasloe as well as €77,800 for a bus shelter, bandstand, paths, trails and signage in Ballygar.

Minister Naughten added: “This announcement is a vote of confidence for local community groups. This investment in local communities will support local job creation and provide a much needed boost to the economy of the towns and villages in Roscommon & East Galway that have been awarded this vital funding. I want to thank Minister Ring for listening to my concerns and for his assistance in progressing these particular projects,” concluded Denis Naughten.