Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2018
203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which he plans to develop the town and village renewal scheme further in order to improve and enhance the standard of living communities for rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8974/18]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched in 2016, with funding of €10 million allocated for that year. An enhanced Town and Village Renewal scheme was announced in 2017, with an emphasis on projects that would have a sustainable and visible impact on towns or villages and their environs, and could demonstrate economic impact or potential.
In October 2017, I announced the allocation of €21.6 million to 281 projects in towns and villages across rural Ireland under the scheme.
Under Budget 2018, I have secured an allocation of €15 million for this year's Town and Village Renewal Scheme. I am planning to launch the 2018 scheme in the first half of the year and will again be placing an emphasis on projects that can demonstrate strong economic benefits for towns, villages and their environs.
In addition, a pilot scheme to encourage residential occupancy in rural towns and villages is currently being developed as part of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. 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.
