Four Mayo communities receive funding under Covid support scheme

FOUR Mayo communities are to benefit from a new Covid-19 support scheme, with 106 towns and villages in total benefiting immediately from €2.8 million in funding.

In Mayo, the largest grant of funding of over €39,600 has been allocated to provide 10 broadband connection points with office furniture and IT equipment to maximise the potential of new high-speed broadband connection, with funding of €25,000 for each for Lahardane, Cong and Westport for enhancements projects.

Welcoming the announcements, Deputy Alan Dillon said the extra funding of €10 million for towns and villages under the July stimulus package is in addition to €15 million already earmarked for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2020.

“Local authorities throughout the country have been developing creative and innovative proposals to increase footfall and assist businesses in our rural towns and villages.

“This tranche of funding announced today is part of an enhanced €25 million Town and Village Scheme which will continue to rejuvenate rural communities across Ireland.

“Further approvals under this hugely popular scheme will follow in a series of funding rounds that will be announced in the coming weeks. I expect that up to 500 towns and villages will be supported this year under the scheme,” he said.

The Mayo projects are:

Broadband connection points (10 locations): To provide 10 broadband connection points with office furniture and IT equipment to maximise the potential of new high speed broadband connection - €39,600.

Cong: Remedial works on public realm to allow safe queueing on the footpath and safe placement of outdoor tables and chairs - €25,000.

Lahardane: Village street improvement works and enhancement of the public realm to increase visitor footfall to outdoor titanic museum and park - €24,725.

Westport: Purchase of large parasols to create 50 metre squared of sheltered external space for festivals, markets, tourism and community events - €25,000.