Tipp Town Taskforce due to be Formalised this Afternoon.

The government is expected to sign off on the Tipperary Town Taskforce this afternoon.

The project was delayed for some time because of funding issues and concerns about its ability to operate independently.

TD Michael Lowry has now been informed that the Taoiseach and Minister Damien English have approved the funding needed for the project, while its independence and that of its Chairperson, Alison Harvey has also been guaranteed. 

He says the agreement will be formalised at around 4pm today.
Ms Harvey, who has a track record in rejuvenating towns across the country, will be formally appointed next week

The March4Tipp Group, who had refused to get involved in the project unless Ms Harvey’s independence was assured, is now onboard after Deputy Lowry was told that she will have direct access to Minister English and the Taoiseach.

The group’s county councillor, Annemarie Ryan has said that the independence of Ms Harvey and her direct links to Government are of key importance to the plan’s success.

It has also been confirmed that the taskforce will have its own budget, and that one of Ms Harvey’s first jobs will be to appoint a full-time project manager, whose purpose will be to deliver on the outcomes of the Task Force’s work.