Fingal towns can now apply for Covid-19 payment

BALBRIGGAN, Malahide, Skerries Swords and towns across Fingal can now avail of local authority funding to help communities respond to Covid-19, a local TD has said.

Deputy Alan was Farrell was speaking after his colleague, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has announced the expansion of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme this week.

“As part of the changes, 41 towns with populations of over 10,000 will be eligible to apply for funding for the first time specifically for Covid-related measures,” Deputy Farrell said.

“This means that Balbriggan, Malahide, Skerries and Swords will be assisted in funding projects for Covid-related projects such as the creation of outdoor areas to accommodate social interactions in a safe environment to include furniture and awnings.

“The Town and Village Renewal Scheme provides funding for projects which support Fingal towns and villages to be more attractive and sustainable. This year the scheme was adapted to support projects that aid the economic and social recovery of our towns and villages in response to Covid-19.

Towns like Balbriggan, Malahide, Skerries and Swords can each apply for up to €40,000 to increase social activity in towns and address social distancing measures that we all now face as a result of Covid-19.”

Minister Humphreys has also increased the number of applications that Local Authorities can submit for other smaller towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000 people.

The closing date for this new round of funding is August 28 with the initiative for the larger towns also closing on the same date.

Deputy Farrell added: “I would encourage large towns, as well as towns and villages with populations of below 10,000, to engage with Fingal County Council to identify projects that will help to bring confidence back to communities and businesses in the locality.”

Minister Humphreys said: “The Government’s commitment to supporting our towns and villages was evident in the July Stimulus Package, which included a €10m injection into this scheme to bring the total level of funding this year to €25 million.

“Last month, I approved the first tranche of funding under this Scheme – €2.8m – to assist 106 towns and villages in adapting to the challenges posed by Covid-19.”

The extra funding of €10 million for towns and villages under the July Stimulus Package is in addition to €15 million already ear-marked for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2020.