Revitalising the Midlands - O’Brien and Burke announce €25.8 million for Regeneration Projects8/3/2021
08 March 2021 The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke TD, today announced €25.8 million in funding for four regeneration projects in Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath. The projects are being funded under ‘Call 2’ of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). The URDF part-funds projects aimed at enhancing urban areas to make them more attractive places in which to live, work, visit and invest. The four local authorities, which will deliver these multi-annual projects, will receive this funding. The projects for which URDF support have been approved are:
All selected projects support the National Planning Framework’s ‘national strategic outcome’ of compact growth, a particular focus of the second call for URDF proposals. The URDF aims to facilitate a greater proportion of residential and commercial development, supported by infrastructure, services and amenities, within the existing built-up areas of larger urban settlements. Announcing the provisional allocations this morning, in advance of visiting the Camlin Quarter site this afternoon, Minister O’Brien said: “This funding will support projects that will enhance the quality of life for many people. The projects are all about making these areas more attractive places in which to live, work, visit and invest. These four projects will deliver improvements to commercial areas and civic spaces and will help transition towns to low-carbon living, one of the National Planning Framework’s national strategic outcomes. “Funding will be a catalyst for regeneration, development and growth. It will also provide much-needed economic stimulus and job creation in Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath as our economy emerges from the depths of the pandemic.” Minister Burke, who will visit the Camlin Quarter site with Minister O’Brien today said: “Today’s announcement is good news for the Midlands. Its central location positions it to attract significant investment. But investment will need to be supported by the offer of a high quality of life for those living in urban areas. The Camlin Quarter Regeneration project, which includes initiatives to create a greater sense of place – something the IDA considers essential for attracting investment – and works to enable compact urban development, is a superb example of regeneration to support investment. Works on the ‘Providers Building’ will enhance Longford town’s economic offering.” “On the other hand, the Athlone Town Centre Regeneration and Enhancement project is a good example of the URDF helping a local authority to unlock the potential of a derelict site after detailed planning and project design. The project’s streetscape works will enhance the town’s commercial offering.” Minister O’Brien added: “Compact growth was the focus of this round of URDF funding. The projects the Government is funding are geared towards sustainable growth of our urban settlements, supported by jobs, houses, services and amenities, as envisaged by the National Planning Framework. As well as compact growth, the fund supports our other national planning aims. In that sense the URDF is a unique approach to Government funding. Whilst many funds are for specific projects, the URDF funds a diverse set of integrated projects with integrated aims. I look forward to working with Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath County Councils to progress these projects.” The projects were chosen after a rigorous assessment process, overseen by a project advisory board consisting of Government departments, State agencies and national and international experts in areas such as building, architecture and planning. In total, the department received 76 project proposals. Each local authority submitted at least one application. Today’s announcement honours the Programme for Government commitment to continue the URDF. [ENDS] Note to editors Laois County Council project Portlaoise: A placemaking project for a Low Carbon Town Centre - €9 million Portlaoise is Ireland's first designated ‘Low Carbon Town’. This project will complement and build on the implementation of other ‘Low Carbon Town’ developments under the existing ‘Call 1’ project. The ‘Call 1’ project is delivering cycle routes, E-Car charging points and low energy public lighting. This new project will also augment work underway on the Cultural Quarter project (funded under ‘Call 1’ of the URDF). The ‘Call 2’ project includes:
The €9 million in approved funding is in addition to €9.06 million in approved URDF funding for two projects ‘Portlaoise – A Cultural Quarter’ and ‘Portlaoise – A Low Carbon Town’ (‘Call 1’ projects). Total URDF funding approved to date: €18.06 million Longford County Council project Camlin Quarter Regeneration - €10.44 million This project involves the development of connections between critical functions of the town core to promote sustainable mobility, social equity and environmental integrity. This project aims to address long standing legacy issues in order to create an attractive environment for living, commerce and investment. Utilising the Camlin River as a spine, the project will increase access to the positive social, economic and environmental influence and reach of the Albert Reynolds Peace Park and its facilities. The project’s main focus points are:
The €10.44 million in approved funding is in addition to €2.99 million in approved URDF funding for the ‘Longford Connected (Public Realm Market Square)’ project, funded under ‘Call 1’. Total URDF funding approved to date: €13.43 million Offaly County Council project Tullamore Urban Regeneration Development 2020 - €2.25 million This project aims to facilitate compact and sustainable development in Tullamore town centre and supplements the Public Realm works carried out under the existing ‘Call 1’ project. This project comprises:
The €2.25 million in approved funding is in addition to €3 million in approved URDF funding for the ‘Tullamore Urban Area’ project, funded under ‘Call 1’. Total URDF funding approved to date: €5.25 million Westmeath County Council project Athlone Town Centre Regeneration and Enhancement - €4.13 million This project involves public realm and streetscape enhancement works to unlock the potential of a derelict prominent town centre site. This project is the follow-on capital element to the planning and design project supported by the URDF under ‘Call 1’. The works in the ‘Call 2’ project consist of:
The €4.13 million in approved funding is in addition to €6.41 million in approved URDF funding five projects funded under ‘Call 1’. Those five projects are:
Analysis of Midlands needs The location of the Midlands is strategically important, bordering both the Northern and Western, and Southern Regions. Its central location in Ireland can be leveraged to enable significant strategic investment to a greater extent than is leveraged at present. This investment needs to be supported by a sustainable pattern of population growth, with a focus on strategic national employment, infrastructure development, quality of life and a strengthening of the urban cores of county towns and other principal settlements. Urban Regeneration and Development Fund
The multi-million euro heritage package announced over the last week will create jobs in the heritage sector and communities right across the country, rejuvenate town centres, protect wildlife and preserve ancient monuments and support community groups.
A total of five schemes are included in the funding announced over the course of the week by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, TD, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD, along with The Heritage Council. Community Monuments Fund - €2m A Record €2m for the protection and promotion of archaeological heritage under the Community Monuments Fund forms a major part of the package. This represents an increase of 75% in funding on last year. The Community Monuments Fund is run by the Department’s National Monuments Service and aims to conserve, maintain, protect and promote archaeological monuments. The funding is available to custodians and owners of archaeological monuments. It will help bolster people working in the heritage sector and many jobs will be created in building conservation and other traditional skills. Thousands of hours of employment will be created for stone masons, conservation architects, archaeologists and others working in heritage-related fields. It is anticipated that more than 120 projects across the country will receive assistance under the scheme this year. Historic Towns Initiative - €1.5m Also included in last week’s announcement is a significant €1.5m to boost employment and stimulate the economy in 10 historic Irish towns. In keeping with the Town Centres First policy set out in the Programme for Government, the Historic Towns Initiative (HTI) is a joint undertaking by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council which aims to promote the heritage-led regeneration of Ireland’s historic towns. Successful applicants under the 2021 initiative were announced last week and include Listowel, Co Kerry, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ballina, Co. Mayo, Roscommon Town, Sligo, Tramore, Co Waterford, Birr, Co Offaly, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, Navan, Co Meath and Callan, Co Kilkenny. The €1.5m in capital funding will help to provide jobs and economic stimulus as well as aiding the rebuilding of local economies with heritage as a focal point. Local Authority Biodiversity Grant Scheme - €1.35m Separately, the Department has made available €1.35 million under the Biodiversity Grant Scheme – double the previous years allocation. This comprises €850k for grants that support actions under the National Biodiversity Action Plan and €500k for local-authority led projects to tackle invasive alien species in their areas. IAS are species not native to an area, but which are able to establish themselves, spreading quickly, causing environmental and economic damage. First launched in 2018, funding under the Local Authority Biodiversity Grant Scheme has increased significantly from the €700k provided last year. The scheme is operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Community Heritage Grant Scheme - €1.3m The Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Grant Scheme - which led to the discovery of historic Jack B Yeats paintings in 2020 – has received a major boost, with a fund totalling €1.3million allocated this week. The Heritage Council is now accepting applications from community groups and not for profit organisations right across the country. Details can be found on the Heritage Council website www.heritagecouncil.ie. Heritage Sector Support Fund (The Heritage Council) - €660,000 In a separate announcement, more than €660,000 has been offered to 24 organisations under the Heritage Sector Support Fund, a scheme run by The Heritage Council. It supports not-for-profit and heritage-focused groups who deliver a relevant programme of work. BirdWatch Ireland and the Irish Georgian Society have both been offered €50,000 towards their operational costs in 2021. Speaking today, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, TD said, ‘Last year I was delighted to secure over €95m for our heritage in 2021. The last week’s announcements demonstrate how that funding is being invested in innovative heritage initiatives right across the country, resulting in really positive outcomes for our built, archaeological and natural heritage and the communities that care for them. I am particularly pleased that ten towns right across the country will benefit from the Historic Towns Initiative, as it is through such heritage-led regeneration that we can truly deliver on our promise to put Town Centres First’. Minister of State for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan, TD, added, ‘Along with Minister O’Brien, I was very pleased to secure an increase of over 50% in our heritage budget for this year. The schemes announced this week will support communities and towns across the country in protecting and preserving the heritage in their care. I would like to thank the Heritage Council for its role in delivering many of these important schemes, including its support to heritage organisations impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.’ Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning Peter Burke TD said: “Many of the schemes announced this week would not be possible without our Local Authorities who administer them. I am very grateful to the staff in our Councils for the expertise that they bring to this task and for the important role they play in protecting our shared heritage.” Virginia Teehan, the Chief Executive of the Heritage Council commented: “The Heritage Council is very pleased to be in a position to play such a central role in the preservation and promotion of Ireland’s rich and varied heritage. In particular, heritage-led regeneration is an important priority of ours and we very much look forward to working with the Department on this.” Mr Michael Parsons, Heritage Council chairman, added: “It is wonderful to be in a position to support such a range of projects across the country. Programmes overseen by The Heritage Council play a pivotal role in preserving Ireland’s heritage for future generations.” Projects’ focus include inner-city redevelopment, strategic infrastructure, transport and public realm works
Investment will provide much needed stimulus during economic recovery 05 March 2021 The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, today announced €430 million in funding for eight regeneration projects in Dublin. The projects are being funded under ‘Call 2’ of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). The URDF part-funds projects aimed at enhancing urban areas to make them more attractive places in which to live, work, visit and invest. Dublin’s four local authorities, which will deliver these multi-annual projects, will receive this funding. The eight projects for which URDF support has been approved are:
The Department will now contact the local authorities on the next steps regarding funding. The projects announced today will augment the existing pipeline of 87 URDF-supported projects for which just under €300 million has been allocated. Details of the provisional funding allocations for URDF projects in the eight other Project Ireland 2040 investment regions will be announced in the coming weeks. All selected projects support the National Planning Framework’s ‘national strategic outcome’ of compact growth, a particular focus of the second call for URDF proposals. The URDF aims to facilitate a greater proportion of residential and commercial development, supported by infrastructure, services and amenities, within the existing built-up areas of larger urban settlements. Announcing the provisional allocations this morning, Minister O’Brien said: “This funding will support projects that will enhance the quality of life for many people. The projects are all about making these areas more attractive places in which to live, work, visit and invest. In that context, this funding will be a catalyst for regeneration, development and growth. The funding I am announcing today will also provide much-needed economic stimulus and job creation as our economy emerges from the depths of the pandemic.” Minister O’Brien added: “Compact growth was the focus of this round of URDF funding. The projects the Government is funding are geared towards sustainable growth of our urban settlements, supported by jobs, houses, services and amenities, as envisaged by the National Planning Framework. As well as compact growth, the fund supports our other national planning aims. In that sense the URDF is a unique approach to Government funding. Whilst many Government-funded programmes are for specific types of projects, the URDF funds a diverse set of integrated projects with integrated aims. I look forward to working with the four Dublin local authorities to progress these projects.” The projects were chosen after a rigorous assessment process, overseen by a project advisory board consisting of Government departments, State agencies and national and international experts in areas such as building, architecture and planning. In total, the department received 76 project proposals. Each local authority submitted at least one application. Today’s announcement honours the Programme for Government commitment to continue the URDF. Balbriggan Rejuvenation gets €25.4m boost
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and TD for Dublin Fingal Darragh O’Brien has today [March 5th 2021] announced a transformational €25.4m fund for the Balbriggan Rejuvenation project. Minister O’Brien said the funding would drive the regeneration and rejuvenation of the town with a particular focus on the harbour and town centre renewal. Commenting Minister O’Brien said, “I am really delighted to be in a position to announce this extremely significant funding for Balbriggan which will not only go towards the rejuvenation and regeneration of the harbour and town centre but will also act as a key driver of the local economy, creating employment and giving local businesses a boost. “Under Call 1 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) Balbriggan received over €2 million. Now, under Call 2, a game changing sum of €25m has been allocated which is absolutely a vote of confidence in the town and indeed the wider North Fingal area by this Government.” Minister O’Brien paid tribute to Fingal County Council for their work in submitting a successful application, to local representatives for their backing of the proposal and to the ‘Our Balbriggan’ organisation, who are the driving force behind the regeneration in the town. “As we know, Balbriggan is home to one of the youngest, fastest growing and most diverse populations in Ireland. There is an unmatched determination across the community of Balbriggan to build a bright future for the area. There is so much history to this town, Bremore castle, a beautiful beach and a working harbour - it has so much to offer and the redevelopment plans will help to make it thrive. “An ‘Our Balbriggan’ survey, which a quarter of the local population participated in, found that there was an overwhelming desire to redevelop the heart of the Main Street opening up the centre of the town to Millpond Park and the Bracken River, with new landscaped civic amenities. We are listening, their voices have been heard and this funding will go towards doing just that. “I really look forward to seeing these plans progress. I am deeply committed to the project and to this town as a Dublin Fingal TD – we all want to see it prosper,” he concluded. The Heritage Council, along with Minister Daragh O’Brien and Minister of State Malcolm Noonan, today (04.03.21) announced that ten historic towns will share €1.5m funding under the Historic Towns Initiative 2021.
The €1.5m in capital funding will help to provide jobs and economic stimulus through heritage-led regeneration and will aid the rebuilding of local economies with heritage as a focal point. The Historic Towns Initiative is a joint initiative between the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council and this year’s scheme follows on from highly successful programmes in 2018, 2019 and 2020. This announcement follows a competitive process inviting local authorities to propose projects for heritage-led regeneration in one historic town in their area. In 2021 funding will be awarded to the relevant local authorities for projects in: • Listowel, Co Kerry • Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal • Ballina, Co. Mayo • Roscommon Town, Co Roscommon • Sligo, Co Sligo • Tramore, Co Waterford • Birr, Co Offaly • Enniscorthy, Co Wexford • Navan, Co Meath • Callan, Co Kilkenny Speaking today, Minister O’Brien said: “Firstly, as many people know, I am committed to the heritage-led regeneration of our towns and villages, so I am truly delighted to congratulate the ten successful towns that will benefit from the Historic Towns Initiative 2021. “We remain in unprecedented times and our communities have been confronted with challenges and hardships that are both unique and extraordinary. In keeping with the government commitment to a Town Centre First policy my hope is that these heritage-led regeneration projects will bring economic benefits to our historic towns thereby helping them to prosper once again.” Adding to Minister O’Brien’s comments, Minister of State Noonan said: “We wish to put built, cultural and natural heritage at the front of both Government policy and the recovery of the country and so I look forward to working with the Heritage Council on similar initiatives over the coming months and years. Heritage Ireland 2030, the new national heritage plan which will be published later this spring, will further ensure that our heritage is at the heart of policy across Government.” Virginia Teehan, the Chief Executive of the Heritage Council commented: “The Heritage Council is very pleased to, once again, administer the Historic Towns Initiative in 2021. Working with local authority partners and communities on heritage-led regeneration is an important Heritage Council priority and we very much look forward to working with Minister O’Brien, Minister of State Noonan and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in this, and all aspects, of the care of our rich heritage.” Mr Michael Parsons, Heritage Council chairman, added: “It is wonderful to be in a position to support such a range of projects across the country. These projects, taken together, give a flavour of the variety of heritage initiatives that can be undertaken to care for Ireland’s historic towns. The Heritage Council is delighted that the Minister has continued to support this joint initiative. I hope that the success of this year’s round of projects will inspire others to care for the heritage of their towns in future years”. |
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