Address:  Department of Rural and Community Development, Trinity Point

Town:  10-11 South Leinster Street

County:  Dublin

Description:

The Department of Community and Rural Development and the Islands is a department of the Government of Ireland. It is led by the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands who is assisted by one Minister of State, Minister Heather Humphreys.

Rural and regional economic development is a key part of improving the quality of life in rural areas, small towns and villages.

As part of Project Ireland 2040 the government has committed to providing an additional €1 billion over the period 2019 to 2027 for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. This will provide investments to renew towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000 people.

The fund will provide opportunities to revitalise rural Ireland, make significant and sustainable impacts on rural communities, and address de-population. Funding will be awarded through a competitive bid process, based on the objectives in the National Planning Framework.

Under the LEADER programme, €250 million in grant aid is available to rural communities and businesses. This is provided to projects focused on economic and enterprise development, job creation, social inclusion and supporting the rural environment. Funding is allocated to 28 sub-regional areas based on administrative or county boundaries.

Targeted action is needed to support the regeneration of towns and villages. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme covers a range of projects to support and promote rural areas. The projects that receive funding will be decided by local authorities, businesses and communities.

TidyTowns involves villages, towns and cities being rated on all aspects of their local environment.

Categories:

Irish Government Body