Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the indulgence of the Chair. I thank the Minister for his response. Kildare has experienced positive benefits from the town and village renewal scheme to date. I agree with the Minister's point about collaboration with local business and that economic activity and drivers are crucial. We have seen this in Ballymore Eustace with the €92,000 towards the walking trail, which will have a direct tourism benefit. It is also evident in Narraghmore, where €80,000 in funding will contribute to the development of a country market in an old hardware premises that was disused and had fallen down. Likewise, €100,000 has been provided for Monasterevin and the €67,000 in funding for CCTV in Athy shows the flexibility in the scheme, as well as the €95,000 for the upgrading of the town square.

We are working closely with Kildare County Council on applications for this year and we are also working with local communities in areas that hope to submit applications.

Kilcullen and Rathangan are two towns, in particular, where we have considered a public benefit element and I hope their applications would be looked on favourably. I hope further applications will be submitted by Castledermot, Monasterevin and beyond. I thank the Minister for opening up the scheme. It is beneficial and we look forward to working with him.

See this speech in context