Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
2172. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has an application on hand (details supplied) under the town and village renewal scheme 2022; when a decision will be made on it; the number of steps in the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42226/22]
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. In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme prioritises projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings and sites in our town centres back into use as multi-purpose spaces.
For 2022, the maximum grant available through the Scheme remains at €500k, an increase which I introduced in 2021. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme alone has seen almost 1,400 projects across Ireland receive funding in excess of €113m since it's launch in 2016. The successful applications for the 2021 Town and Village Scheme included projects to redevelop a range of vacant buildings such as former banks, Garda stations, national schools, and convents.
I can confirm that the application referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department and is currently undergoing assessment. All applications received under the Scheme are assessed as part of a competitive process. I expect to be in a position to announce successful projects under the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme later this year.
