12 projects receive major funding boost
Almost €39.4 million has been announced for 12 projects across Cork as part of the Government’s new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund with projects in Cobh, Mallow and Cork city getting the highest funding.
The programme will see €402 million worth of supports being shared amongst every local authority in the state, with almost 120 plans nationwide benefitting.
Announced by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne, most of the investment will go towards the development and improvement of existing public realms, a term referring to public access spaces.
Projects in Cobh, Mallow, The English Market and Douglas Street are receiving the highest funding, with €7.5 million allocated each.
Cobh will direct the figure towards phase one of their public realm regeneration scheme, something Fianna Fáil TD for Cork East, James O’Connor said he was extremely pleased to see.
“This has the potential to be a game changer for the projects involved and for the communities they serve,” he said. The “announcement represents a major vote of confidence in their plans and in the future of our area.”
Working as a part of the Town Centre First policy, these investments are focused on regeneration in disadvantaged areas, with the goal of making towns and cities better places to live, work and spend time.
Mallow’s funding will go towards regeneration of its Town Hall Theatre, while The English Market and Douglas Street will direct theirs towards enhancement and regeneration efforts.
Blarney’s civic centre is to receive a €5 million injection.
Fine Gael TD for the area, Colm Burke, highlighted that all the investments provide an opportunity to make substantial improvements across all of Cork.
In a statement, Minister of State Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) welcomed the €3.5 million allocated to Carigaline as well as the other investments in the county.
“It’s imperative that we continue to grow and develop Cork city,” he said, describing how it will lead to the regeneration that people have been “crying out” for.
“Now the focus must be on getting these projects moving and delivering that investment on the ground,” he said.
Enhancement schemes for Cork city’s North Main Street, Clonakilty’s Kent Street, and Douglas village will receive €150,000 apiece, as will the Cook St, Marlboro St, Princes St, Grafton St and Rochford’s Lane Renewal Scheme (CMPGR).
Also being allocated this amount are Midleton’s cultural and civic centre, and the Carrigtwohill town centre masterplan.
Projects availing of the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund have been divided into two categories- category 1A and category 1B.
Longer term projects fall under category 1A, the likes of which will be delivered in the later years of the National Development Plan (NDP),
Category 1B focuses on projects that can be delivered in the short-term, with up to €9m available in shared funding for projects that can be on-site within a year.