Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary TD, visited County Wexford on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, to open a number of projects backed by his Department and to launch its National Development Plan (NDP) sectoral plan.

In New Ross, he officially reopened 'The Shambles', one of the town's most historic sites, following a Town and Village Renewal Scheme regeneration that created a high-quality public realm and new pedestrian access. The heritage building itself has been repurposed for multi-use by the community and for tourism.

Speaking in New Ross, Minister Calleary said: "My commitment to support and develop rural towns and villages is underpinned by the objective of Our Rural Future, the Government's policy for rural development, and aims to create the conditions to make rural communities in Ireland more attractive to live, work and participate in.

"The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in 2016 and is designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout the country. Since its inception almost €184 million has been allocated to over 1,800 projects across the country. Of that, over €9 million has been allocated to projects here in County Wexford.

"The Government is proud to have supported the transformation of these areas in Wexford. This is the kind of investment that pays dividends well into the future, encouraging people to come together while strengthening the community."

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The Minister then turned the sod for a new community centre in Ballymitty, for which Wexford County Council has been approved funding of over €1.4 million through the Community Centre Investment Fund. He also visited a site in Taghmon acquired by the council under the 2025 Building or Land Acquisition Measure (BLAM). Located adjacent and to the rear of the Taghmon Action Group (TAG) Community Centre, the additional land will allow services to expand and enable a second entrance on the Old Ross Road.

Later, Minister Calleary presided over the sod turning for a Community Centre Investment Fund project at Our Lady's Island GAA Club, with €144,990 approved for Our Lady's Island Community Gym. In Rosslare Harbour, he opened the Bank Community and Enterprise Hub, supported by the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, providing refurbished offices and meeting rooms for hire by community groups, organisations and local businesses.

Announcing publication of his Department's NDP sectoral plan in Wexford, the Minister said: "I am delighted to be in Wexford today to see first-hand how the investments we have already made are making a positive difference to communities.

"The National Development Plan will provide the necessary funding to build on the strong supports already provided by Government to deliver for our communities. This funding will further support and empower communities across the country and drive the development of our Gaeltacht areas.

"The increased funding in the NDP will allow us to invest in vital piers infrastructure for our island communities, enhancing facilities for people living on our islands and for visiting tourists. It will also enable the provision of enhanced facilities for the promotion and teaching of the Irish language.

"Delivery on Programme for Government commitments, such as the reintroduction of a RAPID-style programme targeting our most disadvantaged communities, will ensure that urban centreswill also benefit from this increased level of funding, making a positive difference to people right across the country."

Under the plan, total capital investment for the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht from 2026 to 2030 will amount to €1.3 billion, with funding moving from €258 million in 2025 to €273 million in 2026. Capital allocations for 2029 and 2030 are set at €255 million per year. Funding will support programmes across rural development, community development, and the Gaeltacht and the Islands.

Our Rural Future remains the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for 2021–2025, taking a strategic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas.