Irish towns and cities receive welcome investment boost

prospective

The aim of the “Gateways and Hubs Investment Scheme” was to enhance the attractiveness of major towns and cities throughout the Republic of Ireland by providing funding for a wide range of infrastructure, regeneration, transport, cultural and energy projects. Schemes were chosen that enhanced the economic, social and environmental fabric of strategically important urban centres across the country.A central aim of the project was to ensure that cities and towns around Ireland were helped to maximise their growth potential and were put in a position to fully benefit from any public and private investments during the programme as well as thereafter. It was intended that the designated Gateways and Hub Towns will become key drivers of the regional and sub-regional economies.The choice of projects to receive funding was made on a variety of factors, including the project’s strategic fit, economic rationale (including employment creation), value for money, innovation and community involvement.Support to all regionsFor the purposes of ERDF funding, the Republic of Ireland is divided into two regions: the Southern and Eastern (S&E) Region and the Border, Midland and Western (BMW) Region.In the S&E Region grants totalling EUR 11 million were awarded to the “Gateway” cities of Cork, Dublin, Limerick and Waterford to co-finance projects such as green transport routes, arts centres and tourist attractions.In the BMW Region, the five designated “Gateways” of Dundalk, Galway City, Letterkenny, Midlands (Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar) and Sligo were awarded EUR 10.5 million towards transport, urban regeneration and cultural projects. Meanwhile, the “Hub” towns of Ballina, Castlebar, Cavan, Monaghan and Tuam received EUR 6.3 million towards urban renewal, amenity provision, energy efficiency and cultural infrastructure investment.Art galleries as well as cycle lanes get the go-aheadExamples of projects that received financial support through the programme include the redevelopment of Dundalk’s Market Square, the building of bus and cycle lanes in Galway City and the building of art galleries in Sligo and Athlone.Director of the Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly Gerry Finn said that, given the economic downturn, the funding programme had provided a welcome investment boost to cities and towns across the Republic of Ireland. “This has allowed infrastructure works to go ahead that would not have otherwise have taken place,” he said.Total and EU fundingThe “Gateways and Hubs Investment Scheme” project had a total budget of EUR 40 510 000, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributed EUR 28 150 000 for the 2007 to 2013 programming period. The project was funded through the "Sustainable Urban Development" priorities of the “Border, Midland and Western (BMW)” and “Southern and Eastern (S&E)” Regional Operational Programmes 2007-13.