€1m awarded to Portlaw
Portlaw Village
One million euro has been granted to the village of Portlaw in county Waterford.
The funding which comes under the The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, has been granted for phase one of the Portlaw Town Regeneration.
A number of interconnected projects which are focused on town regeneration will now be brought to a stage of detailed design and shovel readiness.
This includes the acquisition and redevelopment of the old courthouse, a beloved structure of Portlaw with huge historical significance to the town and its people.
Speaking to the announcement, Waterford Minister John Cummins congratulated and thanked all of the stakeholders who have worked hard to get to this point, including Waterford City and County Council and the Portlaw Community Enhancement Committee.
“The funding announced today will build on the work which has been completed under the Town Centre First initiative which is led by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Rural and Community Development" he said.
"We don’t have to look too far to see an example of the impact this fund can have. Cappoquin previously benefited from Category 1 and 2 funding under the RRDF which has been a great boost in developing a series of regeneration projects in the town and I look forward to seeing similar progress in Portlaw.”
Minister Cummins continued: “Regenerating our city, towns and villages is a big priority of mine, it is something I have been working extensively on since taking up my role within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
"The announcement of a derelict sites tax in Budget 2026 which will be collected by Revenue is a serious statement of my zero tolerance for dereliction and while significant progress has been made on vacancy and dereliction in Waterford, there is still room for improvement."
Also speaking on the funding announcement, Portlaw native Minister Mary Butler said she is “over the moon”.
"This money has the potential to be a gamechanger for a number of interconnected projects which will revitalise and regenerate some of the most historic areas of our great town.
“I have lived in Portlaw all my life. I credit my upbringing there and the local community for equipping me with the work ethic, confidence, and determination to enter local politics and make my way over the years to the Cabinet Table, where meaningful delivery for your hometown and county can be achieved."
