Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 September 2022
94. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if consideration will be given to expanding the successfully introduced town centre first plans scheme, enabling towns and villages to map out their future development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45183/22]
View answerThe Town Centre First Policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres, making them a better place to live, work and visit. The policy is an important deliverable under Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy for the period to 2025.
A key step in delivering the Town Centre First Policy is the establishment of the National Implementation Office to ensure the delivery and implementation of the policy. The office is responsible for supporting Town Regeneration Officers in driving implementation of the policy and will also produce an Annual Implementation Plan that monitors progress and delivery. They will also be responsible for making sure that the initial 26 Town Centre First masterplans are delivered in a consistent manner ensuring best practice.
In addition to ensuring the first 26 Town Centre First plans are completed by June 2023, the Town Recreation Officers will also be responsible for identifying the next tranche of towns to develop Town Centre First masterplans. I would expect this next set of masterplans to be progressed in 2023.
Local authorities have begun appointing these Town Recreation Officers who will drive the development of Town Centre First Plans at local level across the country. The first of these officers have already taken up their roles, and it is expected that all Town Recreation Officers will be in place in the coming months.
I am committed to ensuring that the continued roll out of the Town Centre First policy will work to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages as set out in Our Rural Future.
