Thursday, 21 July 2022
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, today opened a series of projects across County Donegal, which received funding of over €8 million from her Department.
All of the projects opened as part of the Minister’s visit received investment under the Government’s ambitious rural development policy, Our Rural Future.
Minister Humphreys began the day in Buncrana, where she officially opened the newly re-developed Swan Park.
The park has been closed since it was damaged by a flash flood in 2017. The project received over €1.7 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
Speaking at Swan Park, Minister Humphreys said:
“The floods that took place in Inishowen in 2017 ripped apart Swan Park, an amenity that meant so much to this community. I can only imagine what it was like for the community here, and indeed the young people, to watch on as bridges were torn down and this beautiful park was left destroyed. That’s why today is really special – for this official opening marks the culmination of years of hard work and determination endured by the community of Buncrana. This is a day for which you are rightly proud – having now brought Swan Park back to life to the benefit of generations to come.”
The Minister’s next stop was to Carrigart where she officially opened the Carrigart Digital Hub, which has received €200,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and almost €23,000 under the Connected Hubs Call.
Speaking at the opening of Carrigart Digital Hub, Minister Humphreys said:
“What we now have is a state-of-the-art digital hub that provides so many opportunities for this beautiful part of Donegal. Opportunities for young workers to realise their career potential within their own communities - without the need move to the likes Galway, Belfast or Dublin to take up a job. Opportunities for small and medium enterprises to create an even more motivated workforce and without the need to purchase expensive office buildings in the cities. And opportunities too for the many holiday makers who come to Donegal during the summer months – facilities like these give them the option to work a day or two in their local digital hub.”
The Minister’s final visit of her first day in Donegal was to Gweedore where she officially opened gteic @ Gaoth Dobhair. This hub received almost €1.5 million from the Department under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund as well as over €57,000 under the Connected Hubs Call.
Opening the hub, Minister Humphreys said:
“As you will all know, the gteic network of innovation, enterprise and co-working hubs is growing. It is growing because the vision that Údarás na Gaeltachta has for this country is shared by us all: that our language should thrive, that our communities should be resilient and sustainable, that talented people may be found – and must be supported – regardless of where they live or work in Ireland. Rural Ireland has the talent, it has the jobs and, thanks to initiatives like the gteic network, we have the facilities.”
