€17m Announced In Funding For Midlands Economy

Tuesday, 29 August 2023 09:50

It's part of the Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism & Placemaking Scheme.

€17m has been announced in funding for community-based micro enterprises and SMEs in the wider midlands area.

The Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private & Community SMEs, launched by Fáilte Ireland is part of the Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism & Placemaking Scheme.

Laois, Offaly and Westmeath are included as well as Longford, Roscommon and parts of Galway, Tipperary and Kildare.

The aim of the grant is to aid tourism, diversify the local economy and create new employment opportunities for communities previously dependent on peat production.

Head of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, Paddy Matthews says organisations in the region should submit an Expression of Interest:

Midlands Senator and Junior Minister Pippa Hackett says there is plenty of appetite to avail of the grants:

Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin says this "marks the beginning of the regenerative tourism development journey in Ireland, as we work towards a low carbon economy."

CEO of Fáilte Ireland Paul Kelly says "This is a significant funding scheme for tourism in the Midlands that will leave a lasting legacy of transformative change. We encourage private and community-based micro enterprises and SMEs to recognise the enormous potential of this scheme. We are now inviting them to express their interest in developing a tourism project that will help create more reasons for domestic and international tourists to visit the Midlands while also sustaining jobs, businesses and local communities. It is an unprecedented investment in tourism, and one that is going to have a tangible economic impact in the designated territories of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East. Fáilte Ireland looks forward to working collaboratively with local tourism businesses and communities, the East and Midland Regional Authority (EMRA), Bord na Móna, Local Authorities, and our strategic partners including Waterways Ireland, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Coillte to implement the Regenerative Tourism & Placemaking Scheme."

Minister for Environment and Climate Eamon Ryan says "The EU Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism & Placemaking Scheme is an example of how the Government and the European Union are working together to provide new employment and economic opportunities in the Midlands that will help local communities benefit directly from the green transition. This is one of many initiatives under the EU Just Transition Fund that will accelerate the transition towards a greener, more sustainable, low-carbon economy in the Midlands."