Mr Michael Ring TD, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, today (Friday, 20 December 2019) officially opened the Ennistymon Digital Hub and Multi Service Centre, which was funded under the Government’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, established as part of Project Ireland 2040 .
The Ennistymon Digital Hub and Multi Service Centre is a multifunctional space where enterprise and community work can foster and develop. The rejuvenated town centre building is designed to enhance job creation and retention and also deliver community and family resource services to disadvantaged sectors of the community.
Speaking today at the opening of the Ennistymon Digital Hub and Multi Service Centre, Minister Ring said:
The €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), administered by my Department, is a key part of Project Ireland 2040. It seeks to support strategic, large-scale projects which have the potential to drive economic and social progress in rural Ireland.
The Ennistymon Digital Hub and Multi Service Centre, led by Clare County Council, was one of the first project funded under the €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development fund, a key part of Project Ireland 2040. I was delighted to have been in a position for allocate €1,023,300 from the Fund to complete this project
The Ennistymon Digital Hub and Multi Service Centre has revitalised and regenerated the centre of Ennistymon and delivers key broadband, enterprise and community services. The Centre is a perfect example of the transformative impact the funding from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund has on a community. The Fund has been in operation for just a year and in that time I have announced funding of €148 million in funding for 112 projects in every county in Ireland.
The Centre is the second project to be completed from the projects allocation funding from the first call under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the first project to be located in a town centre, achieving one of our key goals under Project Ireland 2040, to drive greater economic and social activity in rural towns and villages
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to make a significant impact which will transform rural communities, building their resilience and contribute to the objectives of Project Ireland 2040. Today I also had the opportunity to visit a project in Tulla that was awarded funding from the second call to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
The Tulla Multifunctional Performance Auditorium was awarded €900,000 in funding from the second call for funding under the RRDF. The Tulla Multifunctional Performance Auditorium is a regeneration project that will restore the former Mercy Convent School building in the centre of Tulla and develop a multi-functional performance space and auditorium that will enhance and support the town’s rich music and cultural heritage.
Minister Ring concluded:
This Ennistymon Digital Hub and Multi Service Centre and the Tulla Multifunctional Performance Auditorium are excellent examples of how rural communities across the country are beginning to realise the benefits of the massive level of investment delivered by Project Ireland 2040 and the additional economic and social progress being achieved on foot of the funding. My Department and I will continue to advance the rural development agenda across Government and will continue to build on the excellent progress achieved to date.