€20m in funding for rural towns and villages has been announced today as part of the Action Plan for Rural Development.

The funding was announced today by Minister of State for Regional Economic Development Michael Ring and the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht and Affairs Heather Humphreys today.

Up to 300 towns and villages will benefit from funding under the 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which will be made available over the next 15 months to support rural regeneration.

This scheme is specifically targeted at rural towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000. Applications from towns can range from €20,000 to a maximum of €100,000.

Funding of €20,000 will also be considered for a limited number of projects which can deliver exceptionally strong economic benefit to a town and its outlying areas.