*Scariff.
SCARIFF has been granted an €8.7m allocation for the integrated rural regeneration project.
On Monday, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys (FG) was in West and North Clare where she announced record funding of €164 million for thirty landmark regeneration projects across the country.
Among them is the Scariff Integrated Rural Regeneration Project. €8,765,000.00 has been allocated to this with the project estimated to cost €10,956,000.00.
Included in the works are the development of a car park plus public realm works in the Market Square and the construction of a multi-service innovation and engagement hub. An existing vacant derelict building will be renovated for use as this community and enterprise hub.
Speaking on Monday, Minister Humphreys said since the creation of the Department of Rural and Community Development, €54m in funding has been allocated to Co Clare.
Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) was among those to thank the Minister for “the brilliant announcement” for Scariff. He stated that the funding would “transform the town of Scariff”.
Minister Humphreys said the announcement “unprecedented” for thirty “landmark projects in rural Ireland. This announcement has been made possible by the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, which is providing strategic capital funding for significant projects around the country. The funding announced today will revitalise towns and villages in line with the Town Centre First Policy, addressing vacancy and dereliction, stimulating rural economies and responding to community needs”.
She added, “I have announced the largest allocation of funding since the RRDF was established. The RRDF alone has now invested over €577 million in funding for projects in rural Ireland. This is a truly transformative level of funding that will make a real and lasting difference in rural communities throughout Ireland”.
Successful projects were part of the fifth call for category one applications which provides funding for large scale capital projects which have planning in place and are ready to proceed. Applications were subjected to a comprehensive assessment process by the Department with oversight provided by an independent Project Advisory Board, made up of representatives drawn from key Government Departments along with external independent experts.
Clare County Council in November finalised their application for Scariff after it received the backing from elected members of the Killaloe Municipal District.
