Sinn Féin Councillor Conor D. McGuinness has welcomed an inward investment of over €350,000 for five community improvement projects across West Waterford. The funding is awarded under the Town and Village Renewal project and will fund projects put forward by community groups and Waterford City and County Council.
McGuinness said:
“This investment is great news and credit must go to the community groups whose imagination and innovation has been the driving force behind these projects. Credit must also go to the Council officials that worked on the applications and to all Councillors that gave their backing to them.
“I was glad to support these projects, not only because each one is important in its own right, but because West Waterford needs significant inward investment, and that is especially true of our smaller towns and villages. Rural Ireland needs investment, it needs support, and it needs to be listened to.
Clashmore to benefit from €85k community investment
“Funding has been made available to upgrade community facilities in the Heritage Centre and the Old School House in Clashmore. The installation of tourism signage and a marquee will also form part of this investment, which amounts to a total of €85,446. This good news comes in the wake of the allocation last September of €22,500 for enhancement works to the village centre, and €90,000 for footpath repairs and road resurfacing.
I made a commitment over two years ago that when elected I would ensure Clashmore was not forgotten about when it came to funding and investment, and I am glad to have played a part in delivering €200,000 for the town in the 18 months that I have been a councillor.
Go-ahead given to develop long-term strategy for Dungarvan
“Over €50,000 has been allocated to develop and implement a strategic framework for Dungarvan. A comprehensive and long-term plan for Dungarvan is crucial as the town develops and expands. Planning for strategic infrastructure should have begun years ago and its important that we start this process as soon as possible. Demand already outstrips supply when it comes to housing, and demand will only increase over the coming years. Any strategic plan needs to pay special attention to how, where and when we build houses, and ensure that we have sufficient homes for our population, in line with ESRI and CSO projections.
“The planning process must also take into account the need to develop leisure, cultural and sporting facilities. Dungarvan is unique in that it has no community centre and very little indoor community space. This needs to be addressed in the plan. A town our size should have an indoor swimming pool and the sports centre no longer fully meets the needs of the population.
Improvement and safety works approved for Aglish
“Almost €69,000 has been approved for much needed pedestrian safety measures for Aglish, as well as upgrade works to the community hall. The funding allows allows for the installation of heritage signage and way-finding finger post signs.
The safety measures have been the subject of much campaigning and I want to thank the Roads Department for their cooperation in processing this particular application. I will continue to press for these works to take place as soon as possible, especially as more and more people have taken to walking during the lockdown.
Stradbally Biodiversity Park given the green light
“I warmly welcome the allocation of over €88,000 to develop a community-led biodiversity park in Stradbally. This ties in with the Council’s stated support for the National Biodiversity Plan, and cements Waterford’s reputation for community leadership in environmental protection.
“I have long advocated for a Tree and Biodiversity policy for Waterford and I hope to see such a policy form part of the forthcoming City and County Development Plan. It it heartening to see funding allocated to a project that has biodiversity at its heart.
“The funding allocation also includes natural paving and pathways, seating, interpretive and educational wildlife signage and a bespoke bike-stand to encourage visitors to come by bike.
Remote working hub for Knockanore
“Working from home can offer a better work-life balance, particularly for those who have to commute to their job. That said, the failure by successive Governments to rollout broadband in rural Ireland means working from home is not an option for some.
“Across Europe remote working hubs have been central to keeping rural communities alive. They provide an option to younger people and families that might otherwise have to move to bigger towns or cities.
“Almost €57,000 has been allocation to Knockanore to for IT infrastructure to develop a remote hub in the community hall. The allocation will also help fund the installation of a bus shelter and the installation of tourism signage for the village.”
Cllr. Conor D. McGuinness 