The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has approved €7.5 million in funding as part of the Our Rural Future scheme to redevelop 36 derelict and vacant buildings across rural Ireland into new community hubs.
The funding, under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, will see former banks, Garda stations and courthouses taken into public ownership and converted for community use.
Minister Humphreys said during the 11 July, 2022 announcement: “This scheme is all about tackling the scourge of vacancy and dereliction in our rural towns and villages. It’s about taking those old run-down buildings … into public ownership and … where the local community can gather and hold events.”
The first tranche of affected properties are:
- the former Garda Station in Tarmonbarry and Ballintubber, Co Roscommon
- the former Courthouse in New Ross and former Bank of Ireland Building at Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford
- the former Bank of Ireland Building in Rathkeale, Co Limerick
- the former Garda Station in Ashford and the former Bank of Ireland Building in Carnew, Co Wicklow
- the FCA Hall in Mitchelstown, Co Cork
- the former Bank of Ireland Building in Cootehill, Co Cavan, and
- a former commercial property in Athenry, Co Galway.
The Minister added: “This initiative goes to the heart of what ‘Our Rural Future’ is all about – regenerating our towns and villages and making them better places to live, work and raise a family. Our local authorities have identified 36 properties in total and as the sales processes are agreed I will be in a position to announce further projects in the future. Today’s funding announcement will ensure that communities have the resources to develop new amenities and facilities in line with needs they have identified themselves.”