Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
700. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria to be used by local authorities in designating villages of population of less than 400 persons for a scheme; if a village (details supplied) can be designated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40769/22]
View answerOn the 14 July, my Department launched the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. The fund is initially focused on supporting refurbishment of vacant homes in regional towns and villages. The Fund is being delivered by local authorities, and will provide new choices for people to live in towns and villages in Ireland, initially through the provision of a grant to support the refurbishment of vacant properties, with priority given to areas where the level of vacancy or dereliction is high.
A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 will be available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence, including the conversion of a property which has not been used as residential heretofore. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €30,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 will be available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.
As per the scheme outline, there are over 500 towns and villages in Ireland with a population of over 400 people. It is intended that the Crói Cónaithe Fund could potentially apply in all such towns, and also to some smaller villages, which may not be defined as towns or villages for the purposes of the CSO Census mapping of vacant homes but with sufficient provision of services and amenities and for example, be walkable to town/village centre along footpaths primarily. Each local authority should prioritise consideration of applications in town/village locations based on the following criteria:
- the overall levels of vacancy and dereliction within the town or village;
- alignment with policies of the relevant development plan including areas/objectives identified for regeneration;
- the role that the Fund might play as part of wider town regeneration particularly in the light of emerging Town Centre First Plans and integration with other committed regeneration funding.
