Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
1527. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 452 of 13 July 2017, the status of the proposed scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54368/17]
View answerA pilot scheme to encourage residential occupancy in rural towns and villages is currently being developed as part of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme which is administered by my Department. The pilot will consider ways in which properties that are currently not in use in town centres can be renovated to allow them to be used for residential purposes. This will help to rejuvenate town centres while also contributing to the housing needs of individuals.
Following initial discussions between my Department and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, I have now established a Steering Group to accelerate and oversee the design and delivery of the pilot scheme. The Steering Group is chaired by my Department, and involves a number of other key Departments and agencies, including the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Finance, and the County and City Management Association which provides representation from the Local Authority sector.
The first meeting of the Steering Group will take place shortly and I will be briefed on its progress on an on-going basis.
