TWO CLARE projects have been forwarded for consideration for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).
Since its inception in 2018, the RRDF has provided funding of over €580m for more than 240 capital projects in towns and villages nationwide.
Up to 80 percent of the project value will be provided by the RRDF with at least 20 percent to be provided in matching contributions by the applicants. A minimum of 20% of the
matching contributions element must be in cash. A fund of €25m is available in the fourth call for category two applicants, this call relates only to securing grant funding for the cost of project development.
In Clare, the selected projects for consideration are the Crusheen railway line plus the Killaloe/Ballina town enhancement and mobility plan.
Launched in January 2022, the Killaloe-Ballina Town Enhancement and Mobility Plan aims to facilitate a co-ordinated approach to public realm enhancements within the boundary towns. It was developed as part of a partnership between Clare and Tipperary County Councils. The plan from inception to delivery spanned a two-year period and included two rounds of public consultation.
Key elements to the plan include a public realm design strategy, a tourism and heritage strategy, site specific interventions to encourage an increase in commercial activity on the Main Street in Killaloe and in Ballina.
A socio-economic report by Repucon Consulting for Clare County Council released in September of last year detailed huge demand for the reopening of the Crusheen Railway Station on the Western Rail Corridor which is the Galway-Ennis-Limerick rail line.
There is an estimated market of 1,700 commuters and students currently living in the catchment of the station and an estimated economic value to the local economy of €25million arising from associated employment opportunities.
As part of their business case, Clare County Council last summer purchased land adjoining the rail line and old station as part of their proposal to create a favourable business case.
The focus of the category two call is to provide developmental support to projects, in towns with a population of less than 10,000, that have the potential to assist in revitalising our rural towns and villages in line with policy principles contained in the Town Centre First Policy through planned and sustainable regeneration. This should drive greater economic activity and footfall, increase employment opportunities, address vacancy and dereliction and ensure the re-use of heritage and other existing buildings and provide the necessary facilities and infrastructure in settlements, which will assist in attracting people to live, work and invest in rural areas.
