Ballina is one of 15 towns to benefit from new scheme

Ballina is one of 15 towns across Ireland that will benefit from the Government's new SÍOL Programme, a regeneration funding scheme aimed at improving disadvantaged urban communities through investment in public spaces, community facilities and local projects.

A total of €31.5m has been allocated to the scheme through the National Development Plan until 2030, with €5m for projects in 2026. Local authorities will submit applications for funding, and Ballina will be able to put forward up to seven projects, each eligible for grants of up to €60,000.

Eligible projects include community safety initiatives, public realm improvements, built environment projects, health and wellbeing initiatives, and projects that improve access to education and training in community settings.

The SÍOL Programme was developed using data from the Central Statistics Office and Pobal's deprivation index to identify deprivation in urban areas. A review of disadvantaged areas also formed part of the analysis that underpins funding allocations, to ensure investment is targeted where it is needed the most. In Ballina, the designated area for funding includes the electoral divisions of Ballina Urban, Ballina Rural, Ardnaree South Rural, Ardnaree North and Ardnaree South Urban.

Head of the Ballina Municipal District Anna Connors welcomed the programme, saying the next stage will involve a community engagement process before projects are selected. The deadline for submissions is August 14.

"It's all about the public realm, making quality of life better and making improvements to playgrounds. All those types of projects that are good for our community," Ms Connors told last week's meeting of Ballina Municipal District.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Annie May Reape also welcomed the scheme and encouraged community groups and residents to put forward project proposals.

However, Cllr Michael Loftus noted that the programme applies only to Ballina town and not the wider municipal district.

"Never mind Killala or Crossmolina," he said. "It seems to be all focused in Ballina. You have the Quay [redevelopment] project and now the town [funding]. Is that because the Minister is from Ballina?" he asked.

Cllr Marie Therese Duffy asked whether the SÍOL Programme could support an enhanced streetscape scheme to improve the appearance of buildings in the town centre and help bring vacant properties back to life. Ms Connors said the programme guidelines on eligible projects would be circulated, but added that a proposal of that kind would be suitable.

SÍOL, the Irish word for 'seed', stands for Scéim Infheistíochta ag Obair Le Chéile or 'Working Together Investment Scheme'. The programme replaces the former RAPID (Revitalising Areas through Planning, Investment and Development) programme, which ended in 2011.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.