DONEGAL Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue says Donegal is being prioritised under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.

He was speaking at the official opening of the Killybegs 2040 – Town Centre Regeneration Project, which he performed along with the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Niamh Kennedy.

“The Government is putting Donegal front and centre of rural regeneration,”  the Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy said: 

“Donegal is at the top of the table nationally in relation to the allocation of funding from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. 

“Of the €588 million invested to date nationally, €52 million has been awarded for the delivery of 17 projects across Donegal. That works out at nine per cent of the total funding allocated nationally being committed to our own county.  

“That we have secured this level of funding into our county, which is home to 3.1 per cent of the country’s population, shows the prioritisation that is being given to Donegal in rural regeneration funding.  

“I’m delighted that over €4m has been provided for this magnificent project in Killybegs under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. 

“I was glad to work with Minister Heather Humphreys in the last government to ensure that Donegal received a significant share of the national funding so that projects could be committed to and am glad now to be working with the new Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, in relation to moving more projects forward. 

“There are great examples right across Donegal of just how positive an impact the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund can have – Carndonagh, Twin Towns and Ramelton being three. 

“The Fund helps to unlock the enormous potential of our rural towns while also supporting regeneration. In doing so, we are making places like Killybegs a better place to live, work, invest, visit and raise a family.” 

“I was last here in early October 2022, when construction works began, so it’s wonderful to see how the redevelopment of Island House and its environs has evolved into this truly transformational landmark building and civic space. 

“The new tourist centre will showcase the area’s rich heritage, servicing and supporting the area’s growing tourism sector, and will contribute to a regionally connected tourism information network,” Minister McConalogue added. 

“I want to highlight the dual purpose of the centre, with its important role as a digital hub, which will only serve to strengthen the economic resilience of Killybegs. And, just opposite Island House, we see the renovation of the former Diamond carpark. 

“As you can see, the existing urban landscape has been enhanced, through the provision of new footpaths, open paved areas, landscaping planting and public seating – all of which all culminate in an attractive civic space that will encourage greater footfall and activity within the town,” the Donegal Minister of State said. 

“Time and time again we have seen how enhancing public spaces and buildings, like we see here today, increase town and village social and economic growth. This brings more life and energy to the centre of our communities and creates opportunities for further growth and development,” he added.