By Dean Egan.
€18.4m in funding has been secured for the Trinity Wharf development in Wexford, through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF).
The Trinity Wharf urban quarter project which includes a marina, a landmark cultural and events building and office space.
Wexford Fianna Fail TD, and Minister, James Browne says:
"This is the second largest investment through URDF outside the major cities and a real vote of confidence in County Wexford and will secure the town's future. I know Minister Darragh O'Brien TD is aware of the required investment in County Wexford and I look forward to welcoming him to the county in the coming months. I also want to acknowledge the work of Tom Enright and County Council Officials for their work on this project.
"I am, however, very dissatisfied that the Enniscorthy project was not considered eligible for the Minister's consideration. The Enniscorthy application was a first-time application that had serious flaws in the bid and did not get passed the independent board who judge the applications.
Deputy Browne is insisting that Wexford County Council prepare a second application with a detailed socio-economic development plan to ensure the Enniscorthy application is viable in the next round of the URDF.
He says:
"In many ways, the last application was not ambitious enough for the town. If the council step up and submit an ambitious plan for Enniscorthy I am confident the funding will be provided."
"Trinity Wharf has the potential to become the blueprint for the regeneration and enhancement of towns across Europe. The Government funding of €18.4m will give the project solid financial backing. Trinity Wharf will secure the future of Wexford Town and district,"
Meanwhile, Wexford Fianna Fail Senator, Malcolm Byrne, has also welcomed the news this morning:
"This is a real vote of confidence in Wexford by the government and while I’m happy to have played my part, it is really for the people of Wexford to take pride in the potential of this amazing project.”
More information about the project can be found here.
