Minister Michael Ring allocates €8m. to Mayo in six months

THE Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, has issued a statement outlining how he allocated over €8 million in funding to Mayo since his cabinet appointment last June.

The Westport-based representative approved the money for projects and schemes in the county through 17 different departmental schemes.

He elaborated: “An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, created the department in order to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland.

“He has asked me as Minister for Rural and Community Development to ensure that our communities are prioritised in government decision making and government investment.

“I’m delighted that in my first six months in the job I have been able to direct vital funds towards communities in Mayo and throughout the country.

“With an increase of budget in 2018, to over €220 million, 2018 will see an increased investment in programmes country-wide.”

Some of the funding allocated by Minister Ring to Mayo is as follows:

• Over €1.34 million for 14 towns and villages under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

• Over €1.33 million of LEADER Funding for 26 communities and businesses.

• Over €1.27 million under the Local Improvement Scheme to improve rural private roads.

• Over €1.24 million under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme.

• €1,243,430 for 15 walkways, trails and greenways under the Rural Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.

• €879,882 of CLÁR Funding.

• €63,000 to support 9 Agricultural Shows in Mayo,

• €53,000 for 39 Tidy Towns committees.

• €112,500 for the Mayo Volunteer Centre.

• €136,000 for our public libraries.

He stated: “The funding I have outlined represents significant investment by the government for the benefit of the people of Mayo and our many visitors.

“I encourage Mayo County Council, which is responsible for the implementation of a significant amount of this funding, to ensure that it is spent without delay so that people can get the full benefit of this investment.”

Minister Ring also highlighted the significant investment from across all government departments in Mayo in 2017 including:

• Over €20 million for regional and local roads and €22 million for national roads.

• €2.95 million investment in Ireland West Airport Knock under Regional Airports Programme.

• €3.75 million investment over the next five years which has secured the GMIT Castlebar campus.

• Major expansion of Ballycroy National Park, now one of the three largest National Parks in country.

• Five school capital projects completed with an additional 558 school places provided.

• Brand new school building for Scoil Phádraig in Westport after €5 million Govt support.

• Over €1 million in ICT grants which will benefit 194 primary and post-primary schools.

• €367,500 for harbours and piers in Mayo.

• €2,423,000 in housing adaptation grants for older people.

• Sports Capital Funding for 68 organisations totalling €1,645,977.