Progress Report on Action Plan for Rural Development shows benefits to County Westmeath

Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, has published the Fourth Progress Report on the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development. The plan contains a range of measures aimed at supporting the economic and social progress of rural Ireland, and is being delivered across government departments, state agencies, and other bodies.

The Fourth Progress Report provides an update on the status of actions delivered between July and December 2018. Westmeath featured in four of its directives, including the revaluation of commercial rates; town and village renewal scheme; courthouse refurbishment and the arts sector.

Rates

Westmeath was one of nine rural counties where the revaluation of commercial properties was carried out “to ensure fairness and equity in the levying of commercial rates on business with a view to rolling out to further counties in 2017”. Conducted by the Dept of Housing Planning and Local Government (DHPLG), The National Revaluation Programme, known as REVAL 2019, started in October 2017.

Phase 1 resulted in the revaluation of all rateable properties in Dublin, Waterford and Limerick LA areas. Westmeath was part of the second Phase of revaluation. The new valuations are to be published this year and become effective from 2020.

Courthouse

Mullingar Courthouse was one of seven in the plan’s programme of works with an investment of €135m over two years. It’s estimated that 700 people were employed nationally during the construction period. Construction in respect of all seven courthouses is complete and Mullingar Courthouse officially reopened in November 2018.

Town and Village scheme

Towns and Villages in Westmeath also got a boost under the plan’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2018.

It included 224 projects countrywide approved for funding in October 2018, to the value of €21.3m. Nationwide, 600 towns and villages were enhanced through the scheme, with funding of up to €12m per annum, to support revitalisation, boost potential to support increased economic activity and improve the living and working environment of rural dwellers.

Arts

Fourteen local authorities have entered formal Framework Agreements with the Arts Council including Westmeath, and all agreements will be complete in 2020.

Minister Ring said the Action Plan for Rural Development has been a key vehicle for implementation of the government’s support for rural development since it was launched in January 2017. “The plan was the first whole-of-government approach to supporting the economic and social progress of rural Ireland, and much progress has been made in the delivery of individual actions, as outlined in this Progress Report.

“Additional measures have also been taken to support rural Ireland since the Action Plan was launched. Under Project Ireland 2040, investment is taking place across government to support rural communities and rural businesses. This investment is driving job creation, improving access to services, and enhancing the quality of life in rural Ireland.”