Roscrea receives €3.5-million investment to stimulate jobs and enterprise

PICTURED ABOVE: Gathered in Roscrea for the announcement are (back) Mary Ryan (Tipperary Council), Seamus Hoyne (TUS), Gerard Lynch (Tipperary Council), Michael Murray (North Tipperary Development Company NTDC), Jim Finn (NTDC)  (front) Seamus Browne (President Roscrea Chamber of Commerce), Olivia Kennedy Murphy (Education and Training Board), Deputy Michael Lowry TD, Brendan Hyland (Chairperson of REACH) and Liam Shanahan from Roscrea. 

A state-of-the-art workspace, custom built to equip people in Roscrea to tap into the thriving digital economy, is set to become a reality soon.

In the pipeline since 2019, the digital hub will open exciting opportunities for the many very talented people in the town who work in the digital and information disciplines.

The Chair of Board of the Roscrea Enterprise and Community Hub (REACH) CLG, Mr. Brendan Hyland, said today he is delighted to note Minister Humphries response to Deputy Michael Lowry's question in the Dail on Wednesday, confirming funding support for the REACH project initiative under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. 

This €3.5m investment will see the development of a Digital Enterprise Hub in the centre of the town and act as a catalyst for new job creation and innovation. 

The Board has been working on this innovative project for a number of years and is enthusiastic about finalising contract negotiations with the Ministers Department, so that they can move the project to the next stage. 

‘I am delighted to announce that after all my time and effort, I have delivered this project for Roscrea’ says Deputy Lowry. ‘I would like to take this opportunity to compliment all the various agencies involved for their commitment and determination to get this project to completion. It is an excellent venture that will provide training opportunities and the prospect of enterprise and jobs in Roscrea’

Mr. Hyland noted “The project is a true example of collaboration to address regional needs as the project involves partnership between North Tipperary Development Company, Tipperary County Council, Tipperary Education and Training Board and others to bring much-needed investment into the town. 

Subject to completing final contract details with the Department we look forward to work commencing the project in the next number of months and the REACH facility being open in early 2025.”

The REACH Board told the Tribune they would like to acknowledge the support received for the project from the local community, local enterprise and, in particular, the work done by Deputy Michael Lowry, TD who has engaged extensively with the Minister and Department Officials in support of the project.

The Board would also like to acknowledge the support from Tipperary County Council in not only providing match funding for the initiative but also the input and expertise provided to bring the project to this stage.  The Board is also appreciative of the help and support of everyone else who has been behind the project over the last number of years. 

The REACH Board will now focus its efforts on translating the vision for the project into reality and look forward to delivering this exciting new addition to the town of Roscrea.