What's new in Rural and Community Development?
Department of Rural and Community Development
Supporting vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland.
Hi everyone,
We have jam-packed edition of our newsletter following another very busy period for the Department. This month's letter includes a host of project openings and approvals, including new libraries, community centres, remote working hubs and even a mountain path!
In this edition:
Minister Launches National Campaign to Promote Responsible Dog Ownership
Minister Humphreys unveiled a significant national awareness campaign on April 22, 2024, aimed at reminding dog owners of their obligations. Dubbed ‘It’s not your dog’s fault, it’s yours,’ the campaign seeks to amplify understanding of the potential harm uncontrolled dogs can inflict on both people and livestock.
The primary objective is behavioral change, emphasising the necessity for owners to maintain control over their pets at all times. This initiative closely follows a series of complementary measures:
Minister Humphreys underscored the imperative of responsible dog ownership, stressing the collective effort required to ensure the safety and welfare of both humans and animals within communities.
Visit our website to find out more:
Croagh Patrick Sustainable Access & Habitat Restoration Project
Aiming to preserve one of Ireland's cultural and spiritual landmarks, the Department funded a €480,000 project aimed at restoring and ensuring sustainable access to Croagh Patrick. Completed in collaboration with Mayo County Council and the Croagh Patrick Stakeholders Group, the initiative addressed the mountain's erosion and path damage caused by over 50,000 yearly visitors.
The project, started in December 2020, saw the repair of over 1,324m of mountain path. Using a training-based approach supervised by Scottish expert Matt McConway, the team not only restored the path but also trained four individuals in mountain path repair, fostering local expertise for future maintenance.
Supported by dedicated volunteers, including Mountaineering Ireland members, the project not only enhanced safety but also minimised the impact of recreational activities on the mountain's habitat. An ambassador program was introduced to educate visitors on responsible hiking practices and maintain cleanliness on the hill.
The project's completion in April 2024 marked a significant milestone. To commemorate this achievement, an event titled "Towards the Healing of Croagh Patrick...a Big Step" took place, symbolically placing final stones into a step near the statue of St. Patrick. Minister Humphreys and community representatives participated, highlighting the collaborative effort behind this endeavor.
Mayfair Library, Kilkenny
Minister Humphreys officially inaugurated Ireland’s the Mayfair Library in Kilkenny City on the 24th of April. The library, a €7.2 million project, transformed the historic Old Ballroom into a cutting-edge facility funded jointly by the Department and Kilkenny County Council.
Spanning 1,800 square meters, the Mayfair Library boasts digital spaces, a makerspace with 3D printers and scanners, and versatile meeting rooms for workshops and events. Minister Humphreys praised the collaboration between local and central government, underscoring the library's significance in Kilkenny's cultural revival.
During the unveiling, Minister Humphreys announced a substantial €25 million investment in Ireland's public library service, including 11 new library buildings and 12 Next Generation mobile library vehicles nationwide.
Read the full press release below:
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CLÁR 2024: €8.7 million funding for community, sports and Island facilities
Almost €9 million in fresh funding has been allocated to community and sports facilities nationwide under the 2024 CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) programme.
The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of population decline.
The programme is divided into three measures, which cover the different initiatives supported by the scheme.
Under Measure 1 of the 2024 initiative, grants from €5,000 to €50,000 are being provided to support the development of community and sports facilities, youth clubs, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks and much more.
Measure 2 supports voluntary groups that provide free transport to people receiving cancer care and other treatment as well as Community First Response Support and Search and Rescue organisations. This year organisations providing a meals on wheels service are eligible to apply.
The measure comes with maximum grants of €50,000 for a car and €100,000 for a bus.
Measure 3 is designed to support offshore island communities, with maximum grants of €120,000 available for community transport projects and up to €50,000 available for amenities projects.
The closing dates for applications are:
For more on CLÁR, and other funding supports click the link below:
SOLAS Visitor Experience
Eachléim, Co Mayo
Minister Humphreys inaugurated the €4 million SOLAS Visitor Experience and Tourism Hub in Eachléim Co. Mayo on Monday, April 29th. The hub, funded by €2.47 million from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, offers visitors a glimpse into North Mayo Gaeltacht's natural and cultural heritage, including the renowned Blacksod Lighthouse.
Community Centre Investment Fund
Minister Humphreys announced an investment of over €30 million to deliver 12 new community centres nationwide on the 20th of April. This marked the first time a dedicated fund was set up for this purpose in rural Ireland's history. The announcement came during the Minister's visit to Newcastle in Galway, which was set to receive over €4.3 million for a new center. These projects, funded through the Community Centre Investment Fund launched in March 2023, aimed to fill gaps in areas lacking community facilities, prioritising support for communities without existing centres after previously allocating €45.8 million to refurbishments for over 860 projects.
For more on the Community Centre Investment Fund click the link below:
Exit 4 - Remote Working Hub
Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny
On the 24th of April Minister Humphreys officially opened the Exit 4 remote working facility. This project has become a home from home for remote workers and received €250k under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
For more on the Town and Village Renewal Scheme click the link below:
Monaghan Peace Campus
This project has created a new four-story shared space specifically designed to create social interaction and encourage cross-community and cross-border activities through the provision of a welcome zone, Cultural Heritage Exhibition Centre, Library, Youth zone, Café, Multimedia facilities, Shared Community Multi-Functional Space, Multi-use meeting and office space, External ground floor and rooftop Community Recreational Space and Underground Parking.
The Department invested €2.8 million for Monaghan Library under the Library Capital Programme 2016 – 2021, which forms part of this new four-storey PEACE IV facility in the Monaghan Peace Campus.
The PEACE IV Programme is an EU funded Programme designed to support peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border region. It is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).