The government’s announced a 60 million euro plan aimed at rejuvenating 600 towns and villages around Ireland.
The Action Plan for Rural Development says it’ll support the creation of 135,000 jobs by 20-20, as well as oversee the rollout of high speed broadband.
The plan has more than 270 actions aimed at revitalising 600 towns and villages in every county – yet to be decided by local authorities.
60 million euro will be invested in the plan aimed at bringing life back to town and village centres.
Overseeing it will be Minister Heather Humphreys:
Taoiseach Enda Kenny visited Ballymahon for the launch of the plan and outlined how the future for rural Ireland will be a digital one.
The plan warns of the challenges of Brexit – Minister Denis Naughten insists the government does have a plan:
And again the plan promises rural broadband delivery, though ministers warned the project is so big it’s comparable to rural electrification.
However, there are already some reservations.
Seamus Boland of Irish Rural Link is welcoming the plan.
However he says the Government hasn’t allocated a realistic amount of money for it:
Meanwhile, A Leitrim councillor has questioned how the government’s Rural Development Plan will work if counties don’t receive help from different agencies.
Independent councillor Felim Gurn believes counties such as Leitrim have suffered after receiving no help in the past.
