A network of Town Teams is being set up to support rural towns and villages. The Department of Rural and Community Development is setting aside €4.5 million to fund the initiative. The teams will be tasked with developing Town Centre First Plans, which are already in place in 26 towns across the country. €150,000 in funding has been allocated for both Monaghan and Cavan to fund three projects, each under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
The North West including Cavan and Monaghan also got allocation for three applications. Speaking to Northern Sound, Minister Humphreys said that funding for both counties to fund Town Centre First plans is "key" to helping to tackle issues such as vacancy and dereliction. She added that this funding is all about helping our towns and villages in Monaghan and Cavan to realise their potential, making them better places to live, work and raise a family.
"I’m delighted to announce a package of over €4.5 million to support the development of our Rural towns and villages across the country," explained Minister Humphreys. "Central to this multi-million euro initiative is the establishment of a new Town Team Support Fund. We all know that our Town Teams do fantastic work in many parts of the country. But in other parts, there is no town team at all. So under this new Fund, we are going to provide up to €10,000 per town to help them establish a new Town Team or to build up the one already in place."
