Barrett asks where is the money for Castlebar's regeneration project

Two and a half years after funding was announced for a major regeneration project in Castlebar town centre no progress has been made according to Independent election candidate Harry Barrett.

On March 12, 2021, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, announced funding of The Castlebar Historic Core Reactivation Project and €2.5 million for The Castlebar Military Barracks Project.

The news was greeted wsrmly in the county town but according to Harry Barrett no visible progress has been made since the announcement and he wants to know why.

"What is going on? We were promised over €11 million to develop the historic quarter of Castlebar, yet all we continue to see is dereliction and vacancy. People are asking me why is it taking so long. I meet young students who have nowhere to go and those who are paying high rent and yet we are sitting on an amazing asset in the town that lies derelict, abandoned and forgotten about. What has happened to the fancy drawings we saw in the papers outlining what the redevelopment would look like?

"The development of the Military Barracks is an essential part of Castlebar's regeneration and I am now calling on those elected representatives who warmly welcomed this funding 30 months ago to make statements outlining to the people of the town where the funding now lies."

The funding was granted in order to re-energise the centre of Castlebar consisting of regeneration work at Daly's Hotel, the Military Barracks, the old Post Office and the surrounding areas. The project was welcomed by community groups, politicians and Mayo County Council and it was hoped to progress as quickly as possible.

However, little has happened according to Barrett. "The Military Barracks is one of the town's greatest assets, yet nothing has happened in the 30 months since funding was announced. It is an utter disgrace that it continues to lie derelict and that the money promised to develop it is now buried in red tape. I'm now challenging all elected representatives who welcomed the funding when it was announced to make statements outlining when the town will see shovels on site to begin the project."