Written answers
Tuesday, 23 July 2024
Department of Rural and Community Development
Rural Schemes
Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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2702.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to detail her Department’s plan to invest in amenities for the Bandon area in County Cork. [33509/24]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides funding to Bandon and other towns, villages and rural areas through a range of investment measures such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), the Town & Village Renewal Scheme, LEADER, the CLAR Programme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, the Community Recognition Fund and the Community Centre Investment Fund.
For example, the RRDF provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland. RRDF funding of €41.7 million has been allocated to 13 projects located in County Cork including €5.5 million to the Bandon Town Centre Renewal and Regeneration project. This project is an ambitious regeneration project that will transform the centre of Bandon. This and examples of the other funding allocated by my Department in the Bandon area in recent years is outlined in the table below. I would encourage stakeholders in Bandon to continue to avail of the funding opportunities from my Department, details of which are available on my Department's website.
I should also note that the 2023-2027 LEADER programme has now commenced in Cork with €5.9m in LEADER funding available in the Cork West sub-regional area over the lifetime of the programme. Bandon is part of this sub-regional area.
A feature of the LEADER programme is that it is based on a community-led, bottom-up approach to rural development. The programme is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) and their Implementing Partners, where applicable, across rural Ireland. The LAGs are in the early stages of implementation which involves engaging with their respective communities and working with them to develop their project proposals. The Implementing Partner in the West Cork area is Avondhu Blackwater Partnership CLG and they can be contacted at , or via phone at 022- 46580 to discuss the eligibility of projects and the funding available for such projects.
| Programme | Project Name | Project Description | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEADER | Bandon Community Playpark | Bandon playground group CLG are seeking support to develop a community playpark for Bandon town and the hinterland on a 1.2 acre site donated by Cork Marts. | €105,870 |
| LEADER | EURI - Bandon Biodiversity Plan | This project is seeking to appoint a contractor to complete a Biodiversity Plan in Bandon Town and the hinterland. This will allow local actors to work together to protect and improve local biodiversity | €8,910 |
| LEADER | Bandon Wells Intergenerational Training | Bandon Wells Intergenerational Training project includes 12 training sessions in conjunction with TY students in Bandon and clients at Bandon Day care centre. The training will explore many themes including the COVID legacy and the well in Bandon. | €7,400 |
| Town & Village Renewal Scheme | Streetscape Enhancement Measure - Bandon | Streetscape enhancement works to 41 buildings which included improvement to front façades and feature lighting. | €115,444 |
| Town & Village Renewal Scheme | Streetscape Enhancement Measure - Bandon | Streetscape enhancement works to 21 building to include painting of buildings, enhancement of signage and lighting, and the installing canopies. | €63,870 |
| Community Recognition Fund | Bandon GAA | Purchase of goal posts and training equipment. Tables for hall. | €10,000 |
| Community Recognition Fund | Bandon AFC | Refurbishment and enhancement of existing pitches | €15,000 |
| Community Recognition Fund | Bandon Athletic Club | Development of track and club facilities | €50,000 |
| Community Centre Investment Fund | Bandon Hurling & Football Club | To fund energy efficiency improvements to Bandon Hurling & Football Club pavilion. | €25,000 |
| Community Centre Investment Fund | Bandon Town Hall Ltd | To fund improvements to toilet facilities for community use. | €24,380 |
| Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme | Bandon Walkway | To clear the pathway of the old West Cork Railway to the west of Bandon. | €30,000 |
| Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme | Bandon Walkway to Civic Amenity Site | Installation of fencing along the Old West Cork Railway | €30,000 |
| Rural Regeneration Development Fund | Bandon Town Centre | Bandon Town Centre Renewal and Regeneration project. | €5.5Million |
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