€1.7 million deficit for Kildare County Council’s Rathangan Town Plan

Kildare County Council (KCC) has said that there is a €1.7 million deficit for the Rathangan Town Renewal plan.

The comments were made by a representative of KCC at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting on Wednesday, December 13 last.

The topic came about after Sinn Féin councillor Noel Connolly asked KCC to outline 'the progress being made with the plans for Market Square, Rathangan?'

In response, KCC said: "Town and Village Funding was previously provided to bring the Market Square project in Rathangan to Part 8.

"The Part 8 process has been completed with approval granted.

"The progression of this project requires additional funding."

Sinn Féin Cllr Noel Connolly. File photograph.

KCC continued: "Following a site visit to the location during the summer by the Director of Services and Senior Executive Officer it was agreed that a Town Renewal Plan was necessary for the town to provide an overall vision and plan for Rathangan."

"This Plan will form part of the Strategic Projects and Public Realm work programme for 2024," KCC concluded.

A representative of KCC also informed Cllr Connolly and the other representatives about the deficit.

Speaking to the Leinster Leader following the meeting, Cllr Connolly acknowledged KCC’s belief the Renewal Plan is necessary, as opposed to upgrade works solely for the Market Square, but he also stressed that KCC 'must address the dereliction and vacancy' present in the Rathangan region.