Rural town and village funds 'only a step' — TD

Projects such as greenways, cycle ways, upgrading of parks and civic area, and improving street lighting are just some of the uses to which the newly announced funds for rural towns and village could be used, writes Brian Byrne.

These are suggestions made by Deputy Martin Heydon, who was involved with a number of his fellow back-benchers in the Standing Up for Rural Ireland campaign to the Government to get the funds, amounting to €30m over six years.

But the Deputy says the allocation announced during the week is only a 'step in the right direction', and he and his colleagues of the campaign will continue to fight for more.

"I would specifically like to see a grant scheme for town centre properties included in the Budget, to encourage owners to develop and repair them. That would help to revitalise town centres, and encourage residents back to the centres of towns."

The scheme will be administered by local authorities.

Deputy Heydon is pictured with Taoiseach Enda Kenny & Deputy Helen McEntee at the launch of Fine Gael's Standing up for Rural Ireland campaign during the summer.