On 9th August this year, I launched the Town and Village Renewal Scheme as part of the Government’s programme to support rural development. I allocated €10 million in capital funding for the scheme this year - a significant increase on the €4m baseline allocation in my Department’s Vote for 2016 - with €380,000 available to each county. The scheme is administered through the Local Authorities which were each invited, in consultation with local communities and businesses, to submit up to 8 proposals to my Department by the end of September for approval.
Up to 85% of the total project cost will be provided in grant aid for approved projects. The minimum grant payable is €20,000; the maximum grant is €100,000.
A total of 172 applications for funding were received by my Department under the scheme and my officials are currently assessing these applications. The assessments will be completed by the end of October and the successful projects will be announced shortly after that. Funding to all approved projects will be released once the assessments are complete.
A full evaluation of the scheme will take place once the approved projects have been completed.
I should mention that I have secured increased funding of €12 million for an enhanced Town and Village Renewal scheme as part of Budget 2017 – a trebling of the 2016 baseline allocation of €4m. Under the 2017 scheme, I intend to run a pilot to encourage increased residential occupancy in town and village centres. Details of this scheme are being finalised by my officials.
