5 Samh 2019, 13:06
The future of rural market towns will be discussed at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development in Leinster House, Committee room 1, tomorrow, Wednesday, 6 November at 3pm.
Representatives of ‘Free Market’- an architectural exhibition and research project exploring the importance and possible future of small market towns in Ireland - will appear before the Committee of TDs and Senators.
It’s part of an overall investigation by the Committee on the co-ordinated use of grant aid to support rural towns and villages in the future.
Representatives of Cappoquin Community Development, County Waterford, Castleblayney Regeneration Committee, County Monaghan, and Clarecastle Community Development, County Clare, will outline their work to the Committee.
Speaking before the meeting, Committee chairman, Joe Carey TD said: “Rural towns and villages are changing. The “Free Market’ exhibition is designed to spark debate on rural towns and villages and how areas like market squares can be used in the future.
“Grant aid is available to help with regeneration projects. We want to explore how these funds can be used, in a co-ordinated way to help revive towns. We will hear from groups currently working on community development in rural areas and their ideas and experience in making use and enhancing the existing physical environments for the benefit of their communities.”