The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, today announced €430 million in funding for eight regeneration projects in Dublin. The projects are being funded under ‘Call 2’ of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). The URDF part-funds projects aimed at enhancing urban areas to make them more attractive places in which to live, work, visit and invest. Dublin’s four local authorities, which will deliver these multi-annual projects, will receive this funding.
The North East Inner City will benefit from this funding through the:
North Inner City Concept Area 1 (Dublin City Council) - €121.3 million
The projects announced today will augment the existing pipeline of 87 URDF-supported projects for which just under €300 million has been allocated. Details of the provisional funding allocations for URDF projects in the eight other Project Ireland 2040 investment regions will be announced in the coming weeks.
All selected projects support the National Planning Framework’s ‘national strategic outcome’ of compact growth, a particular focus of the second call for URDF proposals. The URDF aims to facilitate a greater proportion of residential and commercial development, supported by infrastructure, services and amenities, within the existing built-up areas of larger urban settlements.
Announcing the provisional allocations this morning, Minister O’Brien said:
“This funding will support projects that will enhance the quality of life for many people. The projects are all about making these areas more attractive places in which to live, work, visit and invest. In that context, this funding will be a catalyst for regeneration, development and growth. The funding I am announcing today will also provide much-needed economic stimulus and job creation as our economy emerges from the depths of the pandemic.”
Dublin City Council Projects
The €174.30 million in approved funding for the projects below is in addition to eight projects with approved URDF funding totalling €15.78 million under ‘Call 1’.
The total amount of URDF funding approved to date now stands at €190.08 million.
North Inner City Concept Area 1 (Dublin City Council) - €121.3 million
This project involves the regeneration and redevelopment of several areas that have suffered from dereliction and decline over a number of years. The main objective is to achieve long-term sustainable regeneration around the redevelopment of the Fruit and Vegetable Market, Smithfield, and the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter through a number of complementary projects:
Markets and Public Realm Study and works, including a Public Realm Masterplan. The Masterplan and works include the pedestrianisation of streets, creation of public spaces, greening and cycle routes.
Broadstone to Grand Canal – development of a pedestrian and cycle route.
Site assembly in a number of areas.
Parnell Square Public Realm works to create a civic space to link the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter buildings, which will involve the construction of a new city library.
Mountjoy Square Construction project, which consists of a number of restoration measures and refurbishment of the existing community building.
41 Parnell Square – acquisition and refurbishment of a protected structure.
Five Lamps Public Realm works, involving improvements to public lighting, street paving, street art and furniture.
Moore Street Public Realm Renewal works to include lighting, public art, paving, stalls, signage to reactivate one of the most important trading streets in the city.
14-17 Moore Street – structural and restoration works to 4 houses to facilitate the reuse of these historic buildings to create an iconic visitor attraction and rejuvenation of a historic street.
Speaking at the launch, Minister O’Brien added:
“Compact growth was the focus of this round of URDF funding. The projects the Government is funding are geared towards sustainable growth of our urban settlements, supported by jobs, houses, services and amenities, as envisaged by the National Planning Framework. As well as compact growth, the fund supports our other national planning aims. In that sense the URDF is a unique approach to Government funding. Whilst many Government-funded programmes are for specific types of projects, the URDF funds a diverse set of integrated projects with integrated aims. I look forward to working with the four Dublin local authorities to progress these projects.”