Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 February 2022
20. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the programme for Government commitment for an expanded town and village renewal scheme to bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy; when communities can start applying for this funding; and the estimated amount available to each local authority. [8663/22]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme aims to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work and visit. Indeed, I am delighted with the interest shown in the most recent tranche of the scheme, with 191 project applications submitted from around the country.
In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the current scheme prioritises the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, with a view to bringing these buildings back into use. The scale of projects eligible under the scheme has also increased with funding of up to €500,000 now available.
The assessment of the applications made under the most recent tranche of the scheme is now being finalised and I expect to be in a position to announce the successful projects very shortly. I also expect that a large number of the successful projects will be those that address the issue of vacancy and dereliction.
I was delighted to secure increased funding across the range of rural development schemes in Budget 2022, and my officials are currently working on the follow up Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2022.
While the details are still being finalised, there is no doubt that we will again be prioritising projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy in town centres. I will be announcing the details of the 2022 scheme in the coming months.
I have also recently launched the new Town Centre First Policy, which includes a focus on vacancy and dereliction in towns. This new policy will align with a range of funding sources such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the new Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund , the Rural Regeneration Development Fund, and the Urban Regeneration Development Fund.
