Departmental Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 July 2021

Thursday, 15 July 2021

Questions (120)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

120. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the commitment to examine the scope to introduce new supports and incentives for the refurbishment of vacant properties to increase town centre living based on the report of the pilot town centre living initiative pursuant to Our Rural Future – Rural Development Policy 2021 – 2025; the details of the organization, State body or agency carrying out this examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38320/21]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

There are a range of initiatives outlined in Our Rural Future which will contribute to addressing vacancy in our towns and villages.

The refurbishment of vacant properties is already being addressed by a number of funding streams delivered by my Department, including the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town & Village Renewal Scheme.

Our Rural Future includes a commitment to develop and deliver a Town Centre First approach to addressing the future development of our towns and villages. Linked to this it also commits, as part of Budget 2022, to examining the scope to introduce new supports and incentives for the refurbishment of vacant properties to increase town centre living.

This will be examined as part of the budgetary process this year and will be informed by the work of the Inter-Departmental Group (IDG) established to progress the Town Centre First Approach.