Written Answers Nos. 455-469
455. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made by his Department in respect of its targets and goals set out in the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development under the policy remit of his Department; if these targets and goals will be met by their respective deadlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7272/22]
View answerIreland has adopted a ‘whole-of-Government’ approach to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with each Minister having responsibility for implementing individual SDG targets related to their functions. My Department is a lead on the following five SDGs:
- Goal 2: Zero Hunger
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 14: Life below Water
- Goal 15: Life on Land
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Progress on these is published on irelandsdg.geohive.ie/.
Food Vision 2030, Ireland's ten year agri-food strategy published by my Department in 2021 cross-references the SDGs against 22 Goals across 4 high level missions for the agri-food sector with the SDGs also referenced in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Statement of Strategy for 2021-2024.
456. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that carbon reduction targets can continue to be met without damaging the food production sector which is fundamental to the national economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7336/22]
View answerIn November 2021, the Climate Action Plan was published, setting out an ambitious reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for the agriculture sector of between 22% and 30% by 2030 when compared with a 2018 baseline.
The achievement of this target will take a whole-of-government, whole-of-sector approach, but I remain confident in the sector's ability to achieve its climate targets without compromising food production. The Climate Action Plan is aligned with the Food Vision 2030 strategy which was published last year.
One of the major actions included within the Climate Action Plan is an overall reduction in chemical nitrogen fertiliser use to 325,000 tonnes by 2030, a key objective of the EU Farm-to-Fork Strategy. The Plan places significant emphasis on measures that will maintain grass productivity with reduced levels of chemical fertiliser use. These measures include an increased use of lime on farms, the use of clover and other multispecies swards which are less dependant on chemical nitrogen and a greater uptake of low emission slurry spreading technology.
The Teagasc Signpost farms initiative, along with the many public and private advisors, will play a key role in up skilling farmers over the years ahead. The recently submitted Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan also contains a number of measures that will support a transition to a more sustainable agricultural sector, including for example increased financial supports for organic farming. The agri-food sector is the backbone of the rural economy, and a key pillar of the national economy, and my Department will continue to financially support it.
By implementing the measures contained within the Climate Action Plan, I am very confident that we can transition the sector to a more long term sustainable platform, with co-benefits for water, air quality and biodiversity, while at all times, maintaining productivity in the sector. I have repeatedly indicated that research and innovation will be needed over the decade in order to bring the sector into compliance with its carbon budget ceiling, a position which is very much consistent with all sectors of the economy.
457. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which efforts continue to maximise the reduction of carbon emissions in the agri-food sector without reducing production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7337/22]
View answerIn November 2021, the Climate Action Plan was published, setting out an ambitious reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for the agriculture sector of between 22 and 30% by 2030 when compared with a 2018 baseline. The achievement of this target will take a whole-of-government, whole-of-sector approach. The Climate Action Plan is aligned with Food Vision 2030 strategy which was published last year.
One of the major actions of the Climate Action Plan is an overall reduction in chemical nitrogen fertiliser use to 325,000 tonnes by 2030, a key objective of the EU Farm-to-Fork Strategy. The Plan places significant emphasis on measures that will maintain grass productivity with reduced levels of chemical fertiliser use. These measures include an increased use of lime on farms, the use of clover and other multispecies swards that are less dependant on chemical nitrogen and a greater uptake of low emission slurry spreading technology. The Teagasc Signpost farms initiative, along with the many public and private advisors, will play a key role in up-skilling farmers over the years ahead. The recently submitted Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan also contains a number of measures that will support a transition to a more sustainable agricultural sector, including increased financial supports for organic farming.
By implementing the measures contained within the Climate Action Plan, I am very confident that we can transition the sector to a more long term sustainable platform, with co-benefits for water, air quality and biodiversity, while at all times, maintaining productivity in the sector. I have repeatedly indicated that research and innovation will be needed over the decade in order to bring the sector into compliance with its carbon budget ceiling, a position which is very much consistent with all sectors of the economy.
458. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which imports of meat or dairy products have changed in the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7338/22]
View answer459. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which imports of beef, lamb, dairy or pig meat have increased or decreased into Ireland or via the European Union into Ireland over the past five years; the countries from which such imports originated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7339/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 458 and 459 together.
Over the period 2016 to 2020 the volume of imports of beef, dairy produce and sheep meat have increased while the volume of pig meat imports has decreased.
The volume of beef imported increased from 29,500 tonnes in 2016 to 30,000tonnes in 2020, an increase of 2%. This compares to 525,000 tonnes of beef Ireland exported in 2020. Imports of beef were valued at €130 million in 2020 while exports of beef were valued at €2,335 million.
The volume of dairy produce imports increased from 804,000 tonnes in 2016 to 997 thousand tonnes in 2020, an increase of 24%. In 2020, Ireland exported 1,714,000 tonnes of dairy produce. Imports of dairy produce cost €1,064 million while exports were almost five times higher at €5,109 million.
The volume of sheep meat imported in 2020 was 6,600 tonnes, up from 3,8000 tonnes in 2016 an increase of 74%. The value of the sheepmeat imports in 2020 was €37 million, about 10% of the value of sheepmeat exports at €356 million, while 64,000 tonnes of sheepmeat were exported.
Imports of pigmeat decreased between 2016 and 2020 from 99,000 tonnes to 86,000 tonnes. In 2020 Ireland exported 276,000 tonnes of pigmeat valued at €893 million compared to a value of €323 million on imports.
The full year preliminary data for the year 2021 will not be available from the Central Statistics Office until 15th February 2022. Data for the period January to November 2021 indicates that in the 11 month period of 2021 imports of beef increased by 17% in volume, dairy produce imports decreased by 13%, pigmeat imports decreased by 4% and sheepmeat imports increased in volume by 2% compared to the same 11 month period in 2020.
Attached is an excel file which includes a breakdown of beef, dairy produce, pigmeat and sheepmeat imports for the period 2016 to 2020 and the period January to November 2020 and January to November 2021 by value and volume by country.
460. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which Mercosur has facilitated imports of beef or other food products into Ireland or the European Union in the past five years; the extent to which this represents an increase or decrease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7340/22]
View answerBased on the latest data available from the European Commission for the period 2017 to 2020, EU imports of beef from Mercosur countries have been stable, with on average approximately 200,000 tonnes imported per annum. The table below sets out the annual figures as well as latest figures available for 2021.
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
Jan-Nov 2021 |
|
|
Brazil |
86,927 |
103,979 |
99,569 |
84,139 |
73,449 |
|
Argentina |
49,259 |
61,400 |
65,324 |
56,421 |
47,699 |
|
Uruguay |
52,079 |
47,922 |
40,483 |
34,611 |
40,801 |
|
Paraguay |
5,922 |
5,520 |
5,203 |
4,234 |
3,666 |
|
Total |
194,187 |
218,821 |
210,579 |
179,405 |
165,615 |
Source EU Commission
In terms of imports into Ireland from Mercosur, CSO data confirms that a minimal amount of beef is imported, with some €130,000 of product in value terms being imported in 2020. Overall, agri-food imports from Mercosur to Ireland have remained static in recent years, with an average value of €350 million. This is mainly comprised of animal feed imports used in the Irish livestock sector.
While the EU-Mercosur political agreement provides for a new beef tariff rate quota of 99,000 tonnes for Mercosur countries, the Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the agreement, which was published in July 2021, found that, in a worst-case scenario, when the agreement is fully in place, EU beef imports would be expected to increase by a maximum of 53,000 tonnes. Notwithstanding that, I continue to have reservations over the Mercosur trade deal. Irish beef farmers produce a world-class product and operate to very high sustainability standards. We cannot have a substandard product significantly impacting on our primary producers.
This ESIA also concluded that, overall, Irish exports to the Mercosur market are expected to be 17% higher in 2035, with particular increases forecast in pharmaceuticals, computer and electronic products and processed foods and beverages. As with all trade agreements, there will be a range of impacts, both positive and negative.
461. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which cereal growing continues to be attractive in Ireland; if its viability is coming under pressure from other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7341/22]
View answerTillage farming makes a significant contribution to the agri-food industry and the economy. The cereal sector is a major contributor of high-quality grain to the feed industry, provides raw material for the food and drinks industry and is a key source of seed production in addition to providing straw to the livestock sector.
Cereal growing continues to be attractive in Ireland with overall cereal area planted in 2021 at 273,843ha which is up significantly from 264,628ha in 2020.
Harvest 2021 was a solid year for tillage farmers with a 21% increase in cereal production from harvest 2020 combined with strong cereal and straw prices. Teagasc National Farm Survey results show that tillage farmers income is second only to dairy farmers income.
I acknowledge that it is difficult for Irish cereal farmers to compete on the commodity (animal feed) markets with grain grown in much lower production cost countries. However, Irish tillage farmers are resilient and have adapted by shifting towards producing more high specification grain for the food and drink sectors which attracts a premium price.
My Department provides valuable supports to the tillage sector by way of the Straw Incorporation Measure, Coupled Protein Aid, capital investment scheme for tillage farmers, a high-quality official crop seed certification scheme to the industry, along with an extensive national crop variety evaluation programme, providing invaluable information to growers on the latest varieties available.
I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to this important sector which is an integral part of Ireland’s agri-food industry.
462. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which employment in the fishing sector continues to be viable for families who are dependent on the fishing industry; if the situation has been affected by Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7342/22]
View answer465. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which families dependent on the fishing industry can rely on the viability of their industry in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7345/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 465 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) will, unfortunately, have an impact on our fishing industry. However, this impact would have been far greater had the Barnier Task Force agreed to UK demands, or had we been in a no-deal scenario which would have seen all EU vessels barred from UK waters and subsequent displacement into Ireland's fishing zone.
I established the Seafood Sector Task Force in March 2021 to examine the impacts of the TCA on our fishing sector and coastal communities and to make recommendations to me on a mitigation strategy. I received the Report of the Seafood Task Force in October and it recommends some 16 support schemes at a cost of €423 million. These recommendations are being urgently examined across Government with regard to available funds, State Aid, eligibility under the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve and the Public Spending Code.
A number of the Task Force recommended schemes relate to the fishing fleet and are designed to mitigate the impact of the TCA and restore the fleet to profitability. The most significant recommendation for the fleet is of course the recommended decommissioning scheme that would reduce the whitefish fleet by 25%, so that vessels remaining in the fleet would be restored to pre-TCA levels of profitability. Many of the remaining recommendations are designed to mitigate the impacts on coastal communities of this fleet reduction, through adding value to the reduced quotas available to Ireland, developing alternative sources of raw material supply for our processors and diversifying the coastal economy.
In addition to the measures recommended by the Task Force, my Department’s €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Programme 2014-20 has been operating since 2016, supporting the sustainable development of our seafood sector. The Programme has been providing a wide range of financial supports to fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing enterprises and to enterprises, groups and individuals in coastal communities. These supports include for capital investment, innovation, professional advisory services and marketing. Through these measures, the Programme has been fostering the economic development of the seafood industry and coastal communities, building value and growing exports in these enterprises. The EMFF Programme is now coming to an end and a new Seafood Development Programme 2021-27 is being prepared by my Department, with the aim of its adoption by the European Commission by end 2022.
I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to addressing the challenges facing our seafood sector following the TCA. I am pursuing all opportunities at EU level to help address the unequal burden sharing whereby Ireland carries an excessive burden of the EU quota transfers to the UK. The Programme for Government sets down an ambitious programme of actions that promote a sustainable seafood industry and we are committed to working to continue to build on the progress that has been made to secure a sustainable future for our fishing industry and the coastal communities which depend upon it.
463. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to monitor the effects of Brexit on Ireland’s agri-food sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7343/22]
View answerBrexit has presented a range of challenges for the agri-food and fisheries sectors. While the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement maintains tariff-free trade, the fact that the United Kingdom is no longer in the EU Single Market or Customs Union creates significant extra challenges for Irish food companies trading with the UK. Despite this the value of agri-food exports to the UK has held up strong since Brexit
The impacts of this new trading environment on the Irish agri-food sector are still evolving, with new UK import control requirements for EU products being phased in during 2022, including full sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls on EU food imports.
My Department, in close collaboration with Irish food businesses and other stakeholders in the agri-food supply chain, is intensifying its preparations to meet these new UK requirements in order to ensure that we minimise any potential disruption to our exports to the GB market. The preparations include the recruitment of additional staff, information webinars, media information campaigns, development of new and enhanced IT systems, training programmes, certification trials and extensive local engagement between the Department's veterinary supervision teams and individual food businesses to refine the business processes that will support their exports to GB.
The UK is, and will continue to be, our biggest market for food exports, and the Government is fully committed to supporting continued growth despite the challenges which Brexit is presenting. This commitment is clearly demonstrated by the extensive preparations and investment of resources to meet the new UK SPS import requirements. The Government has also provided additional funding to Bord Bia in recent budgets to support Irish businesses to grow their exports to UK.
I will continue to monitor developments impacting on Ireland-UK supply chains and on the operation of the UK market over the coming period, and will remain ready to respond as appropriate.
464. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains assured that food imports to Ireland directly or through the European Union continue to be subjected to the highest quality, production, hygiene and husbandry standards applicable throughout the European Union; if breaches have been detected in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7344/22]
View answerFood products placed on the European marketplace are covered by a range of legislation designed to ensure that products supplied to consumers are of the highest safety standards.
The Department plays a key role in the enforcement of this legislation along with Competent Authorities in other Member States, other Irish Government departments and State Agencies such as the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the Health Service Executive.
The import of products of animal origin from third countries is governed by a comprehensive and robust legislative framework laid down at EU level, controlled by Member States in the first instance, and audited by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Food Safety to ensure compliance with all of the relevant food safety standards. The legislation imposes health and supervisory requirements designed to ensure that imported products meet standards equivalent to those required for production and trade between Member States.
Veterinary checks are carried out by staff from my Department on consignments of foods of animal origin imported from third countries at designated Border Control Posts. All such consignments undergo documentary and identity checks; physical checks, including sampling of products, are carried out according to European regulations. Import control procedures on products of animal origin are highly prescriptive and are strictly audited by the Directorate to ensure compliance. Audit finding reports are published on the Directorate’s website.
Where breaches of import conditions are identified the consignment will be detained by my Department and either destroyed, re-exported or altered sufficiently to remove and risks to human or animal health.
The control procedures that are in place and implemented by staff in my Department ensure, as much as is possible, that imported food products meet the required standards for placing on the EU market.
466. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department continue to be involved in measures to expand the food production sector notwithstanding competing issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7346/22]
View answerThe development of a new ten-year strategy for the agri-food sector is a key commitment of the Programme for Government, which called for an ambitious blueprint for the sector for the years ahead, supporting family farms & employment in rural Ireland and adding value sustainably into the future, with a strategic focus on environmental protection.
I was delighted to launch the new stakeholder-led strategy for the Irish agri-food sector with An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD and Ministerial colleagues last August. Entitled ‘Food Vision 2030 – A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems’, its Vision is that “Ireland will become a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems over the next decade. This should deliver significant benefits for the Irish agri-food sector itself, for Irish society and the environment. In demonstrating the Irish agri-food sector meets the highest standards of sustainability – economic, environmental, and social – this should also provide the basis for the future competitive advantage of the sector. By adopting an integrated food systems approach, Ireland will seek to become a global leader of innovation for sustainable food and agriculture systems, producing safe, nutritious, and high-value food that tastes great, while protecting and enhancing our natural and cultural resources and contributing to vibrant rural and coastal communities and the national economy”. The Strategy consists of 22 Goals, grouped into four high-level Missions for the sector to work toward:
1. A Climate Smart, Environmentally Sustainable Agri-Food Sector
2. Viable and Resilient Primary Producers with Enhanced Well-Being
3. Food Which is Safe, Nutritious And Appealing, Trusted And Valued at Home and Abroad
4. An Innovative, Competitive and Resilient Agri-Food Sector, Driven by Technology And Talent The success of Food Vision will depend on effective implementation and oversight and I chaired the first meeting of the Food Vision High-Level Implementation Committee in November. In line with one of the outcomes of that first implementation meeting, I recently announced the establishment of a Food Vision Dairy Group, whose first task will be to “produce a detailed plan by Q2 2022 to manage the sustainable environmental footprint of the dairy sector”. Given the importance of providing certainty for the sector, I have tasked the Group to provide an initial report to me by end March setting out how emissions associated with the dairy sector can be stabilised, and then reduced, with a final plan to be submitted by the end of quarter two.
A key priority for the Food Vision Dairy Group is ensuring that we continue to provide a platform of sustainability for our farmers and our sector, economically, environmentally and socially. The new Group is chaired by Professor Gerry Boyle and includes representatives from the farming organisations, the dairy industry, my Department and relevant agencies, and they met for the first time earlier this week.
467. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total value of Irish exports of dairy, beef, lamb, pig meat and poultry to European Union and or non-European Union countries in each of the past five years to date; the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the viability of these sectors in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7347/22]
View answerExport value figures for full year 2021 will be available from the CSO later this month and the full data set as requested will be forwarded to the Deputy once available.
With regard to the prospects for the sectors referenced, the following should be noted:
Up to the end of November, the CSO reported a reduction in the value of dairy exports of €119m (2.5%) and a reduction in the volume of exports of 100,081 tonnes (6.4%) compared to 2020. Irish dairy produce reached 147 markets in 2021, with destinations outside of the EU and UK exceeding 50% of all exports for the first time. CSO data shows milk production up to the end of November at 8.03bn litres, a 5.9% increase compared to 2020. The annual average milk price for 2021 is estimated to have risen by 16% to 40.6 cent per litre (vat incl. actual fat and protein). The long-term fundamentals of the global dairy market are strong, with growing global demand projected.
While slaughter levels were slightly down for both beef and sheep in 2021, prices were significantly up on the previous year. Both sectors also saw an increase in the value of exports.
For beef, the total annual slaughter figure at the end of 2021 was 1.66 million head which represents a 5% decrease on 2020 levels of 1.75 million head. This was in line with the projection of tightening supplies at the start of year. The average 2021 R3 Steer price of 407.95c/kg was 12.5% above the 2020 average price of 362.71c/kg. CSO data to the end of November 2021 shows an increase in value of beef exports by 5.7% (compared to the same period in 2020) to €2.1 billion in spite of a reduction in volume of 11.7% in the same period. This growth was underpinned by sustained strong demand in the UK and the EU. Teagasc forecast that EU beef supply will decline in 2022 and that UK supply will remain unchanged. The outlook for Irish beef exports to EU27 and the UK remains generally positive for 2022 according to Bord Bia. Global market demand seems set to remain good as global supplies look to be tight as result of pressure on output from both North and South America.
For sheep, total slaughtering for 2021 was 5% down on 2020 at 2,720,467 head. The average 2021 price of 664.49c/kg was 28% above the 2020 average price of 519.27c/kg. Tighter global and EU supplies of sheepmeat, combined with firm demand, resulted in a positive market for Irish sheepmeat during 2021. According to CSO data, the value of sheepmeat exports increased strongly for the second consecutive year, rising by 7.4% (compared to the same period in 2020) in the period up to the end of November to reach €347 million. This was despite a drop of 9.8% in export volumes over the same period. The reduced availability of imported sheepmeat on the EU market, due to a reduction in UK production, had a positive impact on the demand and opportunities for Irish sheepmeat. Tighter global supplies of sheepmeat and the redistribution of global supplies have helped drive higher export values for Irish exporters and these trends seem set to continue in 2022.
For the pig sector, 2021 saw an increase in throughput levels on 2020 of 3%, with the total pigs slaughtered for the year, coming in at just over 3.6 million head (3,615,320). Over the past five year period there has been growth of 11.5% in production, equalling 374,138 pigs. According to data supplied by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as of November 2021 YTD there has been an increase of 4.8% in exports over 2020 in value terms (+€38.8m) and an increase of 5.7% in volume, coming in at an estimated €845.7 million and 264,869 tonnes respectively. However, the average price for 2021 is 8.7% lower than 2020. While prices were at a historical high coming into 2020, the average 2021 price is marginally lower than that of the 5-year average price of 157.51 €/100kg. This reduction in price has occurred in tandem with an increase in input costs causing serious difficulty for the sector. My officials are continuing to monitor the current market situation and are exploring all potential options available at EU and national level to assist in supporting Irish pig farmers through this significant market disturbance.
Irish poultry meat throughput in 2021 was slightly down on 2020 (-1.1%), coming in 110,426,601 birds slaughtered, of which 90.4% were chickens. Prices for poultry meat have remained stable and prices at end of December 2021 for poultry meat were €2.18 per kg, a 5c/kg increase on the same period of 2020. As of November 2021 YTD, there is a decrease in exports of 5.2% on 2020 in value terms and 30.4% in volume coming in at €208.9 million and 84,522 tonnes respectively. 2021 exports were impacted by both Avian Influenza outbreaks and COVID-19 restrictions. The outlook for poultry meats is positive on both EU and global markets.
468. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of electric vehicle charging points that are available for use by staff across all carparks provided for use by his Department throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7375/22]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has four Electric Vehicle charging points available to staff at its campus in Backweston, Co. Kildare.
While four charging points have been installed in the Department’s facilities in Dublin Port (T10), as well as a charging station at Longtown Farm, Co. Kildare, these points are not yet in operation.
In addition, the Department is engaging with the Office of Public Works for further Electric Vehicle charging points to be provided for staff in additional locations.
469. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the criteria for determining which 26 town centres would be enhanced by town centre first funding in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7303/22]
View answerThe Government recently published Town Centre First - A Policy Approach for Irish Towns. This publications represents a major new policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. It contains 33 actions which will give our towns the tools and resources they need to become more viable and attractive places in which to live, work, socialise run a business.
The policy is underpinned by significant levels of public investment spread across major Government schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), Croí Conaithe (Towns) Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
For the first time, designated towns will gain their own dedicated Town Regeneration Officers, who will be crucial to driving future development. I was delighted to secure additional funding for these posts in Budget 2022.
In the first phase of support, an initial tranche of funding was made available last year to support 26 towns to produce their own Town Centre First Plans. Local authorities were invited to nominate a prioritised list of towns. In approving the lists submitted, my Department considered issues such as identified need, the readiness of towns in question to deliver a Town Centre First Plan, and the need to ensure a sufficient spread in this first phase in terms of town size.
The local Town Team drawn from local community and business representatives will now work with local stakeholders to progress drafting of the plans and to identify challenges, actions and integrated responses across a number of themes (business/commercial; community/cultural; housing; built environment; heritage).
The delivery of this first phase of Town Centre First Plan funding will be a key building block for the success of the Town Centre First approach.
