Press Release 14th July 2023
Offaly County Council awarded €2m Fund to tackle vacancy & dereliction in Tullamore town.
Offaly County Council has secured funding of €2 million under ‘Call 3’ of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). The aim of this fund is to end long-term vacancy and dereliction in towns with a population greater than 10,000.
Offaly County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr, Eddie Fitzpatrick welcomed the funding announcement and thanked the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government for the ongoing commitment to supporting vacancy and dereliction.
URDF Call 3, together with the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant provides the ability, opportunity and incentive to bring disused properties back into use and rejuvenate town centres. These funds provide a comprehensive toolkit for individuals and developers to bring vacant and derelict properties back into use in an affordable way providing more homes where people can live close to local services, amenities and employment.
Tullamore Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr, Declan Harvey in addition welcomed the funding saying it is a really good incentive to transform Tullamore town to a vibrant community.
This announcement brings the total URDF fund approved to date in County Offaly to €7.25 million, with €2.25 million awarded under ‘Call 2’ URDF, which part-funds projects aimed at enhancing urban areas to make them more attractive places in which to live, work, visit and invest and €3 million in approved URDF funding for the ‘Tullamore Urban Area’ project, funded under ‘Call 1’. Together the various funding streams build on the strategic vision for Tullamore town centre.
