Ballinasloe has become one of only two towns in the West along with Ballina and Galway city to be earmarked for priority investment by Government under a new SIOL programme announced this summer.
It delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to establish a new scheme similar in style to the previous RAPID (Revitalising Areas through Planning, Investment and Development) programme, where all state agencies work together to implement community development and town-centre rejuvenation.
The new SÍOL programme for just 15 towns and cities has been designed based on statistical information available through both the Central Statistics Office and Pobal’s deprivation indices outlining levels of deprivation in urban areas. Other analysis conducted by ESRI is also taken into consideration.
A full review of disadvantaged areas has formed part of the analysis that will underpin the new programme to ensure that the funding is targeted at the most disadvantaged areas within the designated towns and cities.
The new programme will be known as SÍOL, which translates to “Seed” in English. SÍOL stands for Scéim Infheistíochta ag Obair Le Chéile, which is “Working Together Investment Scheme” in English.
The SÍOL programme aims to deliver supports to the urban areas with the highest concentration of disadvantage. Capital funding of €31.5 million has been secured up to 2030 in the National Development Plan to support the scheme and funding of €5m will be available in 2026.
Cllr Alan Harney has welcomed the announcement. “This is a very positive announcement and recognition of the need for continued investment in our community. The inclusion of [the town] in the new SÍOL Programme presents a significant opportunity to secure funding for projects that can make a real difference to local people.”
Cllr Harney added: “Ballinasloe has strong community organisations, dedicated volunteers and local leaders who work tirelessly to improve our communities. This funding programme can help build on that work.”
Applications for funding will be accepted from Local Authorities with responsibility for SÍOL areas only and the following types of projects will be considered eligible for funding:
- Community Safety Projects
- Public Realm works/Built Environment Projects
- Projects that support health and wellbeing initiatives for communities
- Projects that support access to education and training in community settings
