Two Laois towns receive €10,000 in funding to develop Town Teams

Two Laois towns have received €10,000 in funding to help develop and support Town Teams under the government's Town Centre First plan.

Mountrath and Ballylinan have both received the allocation following an announcement by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys.

In announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said: “I’m delighted today to announce the first ever dedicated investment in our Town Teams.

“This is all about tackling vacancy, combatting dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres.

“Through this initiative, we are recognising the importance of having vibrant towns, which are places to live in, work in, visit, and raise a family in.

“Town teams are key to rural regeneration and I am delighted that this funding will support the development of these teams and the creation of teams where they currently don’t exist.

“Amongst other things, these Town Teams play a vital role in helping communities access the wide range of funding available from my Department under various schemes”

Minister of State, Sean Fleming said it is very welcome news for the local communities in Laois.

"Mountrath and Ballylinan will be allocated €10,000 each to support the development of town teams in each area. Mountmellick Town Team has also been selected to complete a Town Centre First Plan following a recent announcement of Government funding," said Minister Fleming. 

 "Town Teams are groups of local residents, business people, community representatives, who work with Laois County Council to develop Town Centre First plans to regenerate and develop their areas.

"Separately, under the Local Biodiversity Action Fund, the Government has allocated: €13,976 has been allocated for Portlaoise Orbital Route, which will support biodiversity awareness. Abbeyleix Bog will receive €11,766 to treat invasive species, which are animals and plants that are introduced accidentally or deliberately into a natural environment and cause significant damage. €3,967 has been granted for In Your Nature Podcast 2024 Series.

"This funding for Mountrath and Ballylinan will allow for further regeneration of Laois communities, following the successful rollout of the Town Centre First plan in Rathdowney.

"The additional funding for projects in Portlaoise and Abbeyleix will also allow for enhancement of the local environment in these communities."