AQW 45398/22-27

Mr Andrew McMurray
Alliance Party
South Down

Tabled Date: 01/05/2026
Answered On Date: 19/05/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any actions his Department is taking to help revitalise Rathfriland.

Answer:

My Department works collaboratively with Councils to deliver Urban Regeneration projects with a policy focus on urban settlements with a population of 5,000 or more. As Rathfriland has a population of less than 5,000, it can not avail of those schemes.

However, my Department worked in partnership with DAERA and DFI to deliver additional funding to Councils under the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme. As part of this programme, Rathfriland is benefitting from a £572k Environmental Improvement Scheme which will enhance the streetscape by upgrading the public realm in the town centre. Construction works commenced in March 2026 and are currently ongoing.