Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 September 2022
114. 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. [44964/22]
View answerThe Town Centre First (TCF) Policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. The policy is a key deliverable under Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy for the period to 2025. This 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.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) 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 2021 scheme prioritised 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 was also increased with funding of up to €500,000 available. On 25th February last I announced funding of almost €18.5 million for 99 projects under the 2021 scheme, and a further €850,000 for 19 project development measure projects. Details of the successful projects are available on www.gov.ie/drcd.
In June, I launched the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, again prioritising projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy in town centres. In addition to the 2021 measures, I introduced two new measures for 2022 - the Marketing Scheme Measure and the Building Acquisition Measure.
The Marketing Scheme Measure allowed each local authority to apply for €50,000 for a marketing campaign to attract remote workers and mobile talent to their counties; and the Building Acquisition Measure allowed up to €400,000 per local authority for the purchase of buildings for use as multi-purpose community spaces. In July, I approved funding of €7.5m under the Building Acquisition Measure for 36 vacant and derelict buildings to be purchased by local authorities in rural towns and villages for development as community assets. In August, I announced €2.6m for the Streetscape Enhancement Measure to add colour and vibrancy to our town centres.
Project applications under the other TVRS measures are currently being assessed and an announcement of the successful projects is expected in the coming months.
