Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 February 2022
37. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the new rapidly growing neighbourhoods developing around cities will be eligible for the town centre first initiative; if they will require a different toolkit from that appropriate to well-established towns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8534/22]
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 and run a business.
This policy is primarily aimed at towns rather than areas within our cities, and specifically towns which have a population of more than 400 people (of which there are over 500). The largest of these towns include the five Regional Growth Centres of Athlone, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny and Sligo identified in the National Planning Framework (NPF). The remaining towns can be divided into Medium-Large Towns of 5,000-20,000 population and Small Towns in the category of 400 to 5,000 population. However, the principles incorporated in the Town Centre First policy, and elements of the Toolkit developed, will equally apply in smaller villages, and also to parts of cities.
Given the number of towns in Ireland, all with varying populations, challenges and opportunities, many more advanced than others in terms of regeneration, there will be some targeting and prioritisation required at Local Authority level to ensure that the impact of this Policy is optimised.
