Written Answers Nos. 101-120
101. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the work that her Department has undertaken to ensure greater connectivity between rural and urban communities in terms of local community groups and connected hubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53101/22]
View answerOur Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy was launched in early 2021. The policy recognises that high quality digital connectivity offers an unprecedented opportunity to transform rural Ireland as well as the potential of remote working hubs to act as key economic assets for Ireland's towns and villages.
Initial access to broadband for many of our most remote rural communities is being provided through the rollout of approximately 300 community-based Public Broadband Connection Points (BCPs). My department is working closely with officials at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) and local authorities to establish the nationwide network of BCPs. BCPs are publicly accessible facilities, typically community centres and sports clubs, in predominantly rural and isolated areas. These facilities offer onsite internet access for a variety of community uses, including skills training and STEM activities for children and young people, eHealth initiatives and remote working. 282 of 300 BCP sites are now live, with the remainder scheduled for completion this year.
My Department also operates a number of funding schemes and initiatives that focus on supporting remote working through the development of digital hubs (including BCPs) as long-term, digitally-enabled community assets.
In May 2021 I launched the Connected Hubs network together with the connectedhubs.ie platform. The Network includes a range of digital hubs that caters for a wide variety of remote and co-working needs. The Connected Hubs platform offers a suite of booking, hub management and e-commerce applications to members of the Network.
The Network also facilitates the sharing of innovation, experience and best practices across the community, leading to collaboration and knowledge dissemination between urban and rural hubs and BCPs. This partnership between cities, towns and villages has had a transformative impact on all involved.
To date, approximately 295 hubs from across the country have joined the Connected Hubs Network. This number is growing all the time meaning we are well on track to meet our target of 400 remote working hubs nationwide by 2025.
Our Rural Future commits to investing significantly in remote working infrastructure to provide an opportunity for more people to live in rural communities regardless of where their employer is located. To date over €100 million has been invested by my department in the development of remote working facilities through programmes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Successful projects are developed in collaboration with local authorities and communities with many projects seeing vacant and derelict buildings in rural towns and villages converted into remote working hubs.
This includes an allocation of approximately €14 million in funding to almost 200 initiatives via the Connected Hubs 2021 and 2022 calls. Connected Hubs funding calls were open to all hubs (both urban and rural) irrespective of where they were in the country - this allowed for additional remote working capacity to be added to digital hubs and BCPs nationwide. A list of successful applicants is available on my Department's website.
The dataset drawn from the National Hubs Network will contribute to future decisions pertaining to the location and model of remote working hubs that will be funded by my Department through such schemes.
To date my focus has been on establishing the National Hub Network and the BCP network and on achieving the initial critical mass. Following strong progress on the establishment phase of both projects, my focus has now shifted to the next stage of development. To this end, my officials have been consulting with hub managers across the country, with local authorities and communities, and with other stakeholders, to better inform the future strategic direction of the National Hub Network, the connectedhubs.ie platform and the BCP program.
By acting as a locus for sustainable economic activity and local job opportunities, and by supporting place-making through the provision of educational services and cultural and recreational amenities, digital hubs and BCPs can help to drive both urban and rural regeneration.
Therefore I am committed to continuing my Department's support for the development of remote working hubs and BCPs in recognition of the vital role that they can play in our post-COVID recovery.
102. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 15 September 2022, the status of the new policy for the islands; if she will provide an update on the work of the interdepartmental committee for the islands; the date of the last meeting of the committee; if she will provide a timeline for the completion of the new policy and action plan for the islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53792/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing a 10 year policy on island development with associated three year action plans. Indeed the Programme for Government includes a commitment in this regard and, as Minister with responsibility for the islands, I am determined to ensure the policy is delivered.
The Government’s ambition for a national policy and action plan for the islands was set out in chapter 10 of Our Rural Future, the Action Plan for Rural Development 2021-2025, published in 2021.
The Deputy will be aware that an extensive consultation process has been completed by my Department, including meetings with island communities and relevant Government Departments and agencies. The feedback from this consultation process provided a valuable insight into the key priorities, and indeed challenges and opportunities, for our island communities.
An interdepartmental committee for the Islands was also established and its most recent meeting was held on 10 October 2022, where the initial draft was shared with committee members. The committee members were asked to review their Department’s draft input, and revert with revised actions, as well as to share their feedback, observations and overall recommendations regarding the initial draft of the policy.
I expect the policy and action plan to be finalised before the end of the year.
103. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the purposes of the LEADER programme; her plans for the islands around the coast to be recognised as one region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53795/22]
View answerLEADER is a key programme within Our Rural Future, and I am very happy to confirm that the Expression of Interest stage to select the Groups to deliver the next LEADER programme is now open. The allocations for each LEADER area have also been announced as part of this process.
The procedure to select the LEADER groups will be open, transparent and competitive. Central to the formation of the Groups will be a clear partnership approach, with public and private interest groups coming together to deliver the programme in rural communities all across Ireland.
As is the case with the current LEADER programme, the sub regional areas for the new LEADER programme will correspond with county boundaries. This alignment will help to ensure coherence of LEADER funding with other initiatives and policies delivered on a county basis, thus helping to deliver the best impact and value for money for LEADER.
The off-shore islands will continue to be aligned with their relevant sub-regional area and a separate Island Local Action Group (LAG) will not form part of the LEADER delivery model.
However, I am aware that island communities have particular needs and priorities and, within the context of the emerging National Islands Policy, I envisage that the LEADER programme can play a key role in delivering on these needs.
In recognition of this, a number of important elements are included in the model for the new programme.
Any LAGs selected in an area that includes island communities will be required to identify in their LEADER strategy specific actions developed in consultation with the island communities themselves and include an indicative budget to implement such actions.
In addition, a representative of the island grouping, in each sub-regional area, must be included in the decision-making body of the LAG.
Full details of the selection process for LAGs for the 2023 -2027 programme are available on my Department’s website.
I look forward to the implementation of the new LEADER programme and to ensuring that LEADER can continue to deliver real benefits to rural communities across Ireland including our island communities.
104. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will examine the possibility of new CLÁR designations for additional villages in the west of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53602/22]
View answerThe CLÁR Programme provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures.
A review of CLÁR areas nationally was undertaken in 2021 using the 2016 Census of Population data. The review examined the most recent changes in population patterns throughout the country on the basis of this 2016 data. It also examined the approach to developing the existing CLÁR designations, which is based on 2002 data and it considered how changes in population since then impacted on designations.
The details of the review are currently being examined by my Department.
105. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the building acquisition measure funding under the town and village renewal scheme will be continued into 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53710/22]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) is one of a series of national and local support measures designed to rejuvenate small rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The Scheme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 as part of Our Rural Future. Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, over €113 million has been allocated to more than 1,400 projects across Ireland.
In recognition of the urgent need to transform and regenerate town centres a new measure was introduced in the 2022 Scheme to immediately acquire derelict or vacant buildings, with the intention of using these projects for town regeneration purposes.
Buildings purchased under this measure must be for use as multipurpose community spaces. Local authorities were allowed to apply for up to €400,000 for up to two buildings. In July, I approved €7.5m for the acquisition of 36 properties across the country.
At the end of each scheme year the priorities for the scheme are reviewed and revised as appropriate, and a decision will be made as to the structure of the 2023 scheme at that stage.
106. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the processing of the applications for the new restructured Community Services Programme funding model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53857/22]
View answerMy department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 430 community-based organisations, to provide employment opportunities and local services through a social enterprise model.
Following an independent review of the CSP, a needs-based funding rate allocation model was designed for the programme, based on three weighted criteria, as an alternative to the current flat rate payment model. CSP organisations that are operating in areas of high disadvantage, employing individuals from the prescribed programme target groups and having limited earning potential will benefit from the high funding rate category.
It is anticipated that all existing organisations will transition to the new programme in January 2023 following the online application process which closed on the 14th October. The applications are currently being appraised by Pobal who administer the programme on behalf of my Department and organisations will be notified of their funding allocations in December.
I announced the revised funding rates to apply from January 2023 under the restructured programme on 20th October. A total increase of €4,000 for both full time positions and managers is being provided for those organisations in the high funding category, with €2,000 per full-time position and manager being provided to those in the medium funding category. No change is proposed for the small number of organisations in the low funding category - these are organisations identified with the strongest earning potential and operating in less disadvantaged areas.
109. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the LEADER Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53709/22]
View answerThe LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development launched last year, which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy.
€250m has been made available for LEADER for the period 2021 to 2027. This is comprised of €70 million for the transitional period 2021 to 2022 and an additional €180 million from 2023 to 2027. This level of funding is evidence of the Government’s continued support for the LEADER programme, and matches the €250m provided for LEADER in the corresponding 7 year period from 2014-2020.
To date some, 5,500 projects have been approved for funding of over €232 million. Payments of almost €157 million have been made in respect of these projects.
I am happy to confirm that the Expression of Interest stage to select the Groups to deliver the next LEADER programme is now open. The allocations for each LEADER area have also been announced as part of this process.
The process of selecting the LEADER groups will be open, transparent and competitive. Central to the formation of the Groups will be a clear partnership approach, with public and private interest groups coming together to deliver the programme in rural communities all across Ireland.
Full details of the selection process and the funding allocation to each county is available on my Department’s website. It is now important that the key public and private stakeholders in communities across Ireland come together in partnership to deliver the new LEADER programme.
I look forward to the implementation of the new LEADER programme and to ensuring that LEADER can continue to deliver real benefits to rural communities across Ireland including our island communities.
110. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider treating Cork County as three separate entities for the purposes of funding under the 2023-2027 LEADER Programme following the establishment of three standalone Local Community Development Committees for the Cork County Council administrative area under the Local Government (Reform) Act 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53408/22]
View answerThe LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development for the period 2021-2025, which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy.
€250m has been made available for LEADER for the period 2021 to 2027. This is comprised of €70 million for the transitional period 2021 to 2022 and an additional €180 million from 2023 to 2027, thus maintaining the level of funding provided for the 2014-2020 programming period. The maintenance of the €250m funding allocation will underpin the continued contribution of the LEADER approach in delivering on the Government’s vision for Rural Ireland.
I am very happy to confirm that the Expression of Interest stage to select the Groups to deliver the next LEADER programme is now open. The process of selecting the LEADER groups will be open, transparent and competitive. The allocations for each LEADER area have also been announced as part of this process.
Importantly, all of the €180m for the will be allocated up front to LEADER areas. This is a change from the current programme where €30m was withheld to fund initiatives delivered at a national level such as the Food Initiative and Cooperation Measure.
A number of factors were considered when deciding on the funding allocations. These included providing a minimum allocation of €3 million to each sub-regional area with the remaining funding distributed based on the population and deprivation level of the area. This ensures that funding is targeted at those most in need of LEADER support.
I am pleased to confirm that the distribution of the funding recognises that County Cork is comprised of three sub-regional areas and has been allocated €16.8m for the 2023-2027 period. When taken in conjunction with the transitional funding for Cork in 2021 and 2022, this gives a total LEADER allocation of €20.9m for Cork for the 2021-2027 period. For the corresponding 7 year period of 2014-2020, County Cork had a core programme funding allocation of €13.9m, when funding received under nationally delivered initiatives is excluded.
The overall Cork allocation will be broken down between the three constituent sub-regional areas shortly.
I look forward to the implementation of the new LEADER programme and to ensuring that LEADER can continue to deliver real benefits to rural communities across Ireland.
111. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the engagement that she has had with Department of Transport on the lack of rural transport as a consequence of private bus operators curtailing their services. [53873/22]
View answerOur Rural Future is the government's national rural development policy. It sets out an ambitious blueprint for the development of, and investment in, rural Ireland over a five-year period.
It is a whole-of-Government policy, and the more than 160 measures set out within it are being delivered by the Departments with responsibility for the relevant policy areas, including the Department of Transport.
The policy was developed following extensive consultation with rural stakeholders and communities. Issues of rural transport provision featured strongly in those discussions, leading to a strong focus on improving the provision of transport and other services in rural areas.
Our Rural Future Progress Reports to date have reflected substantial progress on rural transport measures such as the expansion of Local Link services, investments in greenways and active travel infrastructure, as well as other public transport upgrades to the bus fleet and train stations.
The development of the Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan will further expand the public transport network in rural areas and increase service levels, including a commitment to increase the number and frequency of rural bus services. This includes further enhancement of Local Link services, which have seen funding more than doubled to €28 million since 2016.
My Department is continuing to engage with the Department of Transport in relation to Our Rural Future. in August this year we hosted a Rural Ideas Forum event on the topic of Public Transport and the Opportunities for Rural Ireland, at which Local Link providers and the National Transport Authority spoke.
The Department of Transport is also a member of the Our Rural Future Implementation Advisory Group which meets twice yearly and supports the effective and sustainable implementation of the policy.
We will shortly begin work on developing a Work Programme for 2023, and this will include bilateral meetings with all relevant Departments, including the Department of Transport.
I am committed to ensuring that we now build on the momentum achieved in the first year of Our Rural Future, by continuing to deliver on initiatives in areas such as rural transport that deliver real benefits to rural Ireland.
112. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will establish a grant scheme towards the renovation of derelict rural properties for the purposes of providing tourism accommodation. [53598/22]
View answerMy Department implements a number of schemes which can address the issue raised by the Deputy.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is one of a series of national and local support measures designed to rejuvenate small rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The Scheme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 as part of Our Rural Future .
The 2022 Scheme placed particular emphasis on projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings and sites back into use as multipurpose community spaces. Priority A2 projects for 2022 seek regeneration projects that assist in revitalising our rural towns and villages, in line with the Town Center First Policy, through planned and sustainable regeneration and development projects that will drive greater economic activity and footfall, address vacancy and dereliction and ensure the re-use of heritage and other existing buildings.
Also in recognition of the urgent need to transform and regenerate town centres a new Building Acquisition Measure was introduced in 2022 to immediately acquire derelict or vacant buildings, with the intention of using these projects for town regeneration purposes.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund also provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature and applications can be made by State-funded bodies, such as Local Authorities, State agencies and Local Development Companies etc. Lead parties seeking funding follow published application guidelines and it would be open to one of the aforementioned bodies to put forward an investment case for the renovation of derelict buildings for tourism accommodation as part of an application to the Fund. Proposals should be in alignment with the stated focus of the particular call and the objectives of the Fund. The resources of the Fund remain focused upon projects which have the greatest potential for transforming rural communities and have no other obvious Government/other funding mechanisms available to them.
Funding may also be available through the LEADER Programme for the type of project referred to by the Deputy. LEADER is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) around the country. Support under the LEADER programme is provided under a broad range of themes, including Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation. This theme focuses on driving continued local economic development, including diversification of the rural economy, and the creation of employment opportunities for the local community. In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The list of all Local Action Groups, their Implementing Partners and their contact details, is available on the Gov.ie website.
113. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on increasing the annual funding for the CLÁR programme. [53614/22]
View answerThe CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas.
The programme was re-launched in 2016 following a number of years when the scheme was closed to new applications. Measures to be included in the CLÁR programme are reviewed and revised each year, as appropriate. CLÁR has made significant investments at community level the length and breadth of the country. Funding of over €57 million has been approved for almost 2,100 projects since its re-launch.
I allocated €7 million to this year's programme, which I launched in February. This represents an increase of €1.5 million on last year’s budget. The measures being funded under this year are:
- Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities
- Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport
- Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’
The 2022 programme is now closed and details of the successful applications are published on my Department’s website. Funding of over €12 million was approved for almost 300 projects under CLÁR 2022.
I am happy to confirm that as part of Budget 2023 an additional €0.5m has been allocated to the CLÁR Programme for 2023.
115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she continues to liaise with urban and rural communities with a view to addressing such concerns as isolation and the ongoing need for services to address the issues arising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53770/22]
View answerThe issue of isolation in rural and urban communities cuts across the work of a number of Departments. The need to address isolation in communities was highlighted more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic.
My Department provides funding to tackle isolation and support those in our communities in most need of assistance through schemes such as the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), Community Services Programme, Seniors Alert Scheme, and CLÁR.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is Ireland’s primary social inclusion funding intervention and is delivered locally by Local Development Companies (LDCs) who help those in the greatest need to access supports.
My Department is also responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme, which assists older people to live securely, with peace of mind, in their homes through the provision of personal monitored alarms, ensuring contact is maintained with those who are vulnerable.
The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 420 community organisations to provide employment opportunities and deliver local social, economic and environmental services that tackle disadvantage.
In 2021, under the CLÁR Programme, an Innovation Measure was announced designed to support communities in delivering projects that assist with issues such as rural isolation, population decline and social disadvantage.
My Department also provides supports for social enterprises, many of which are based in rural or isolated areas and provide services to communities that may not otherwise be available.
My Department continues to engage with stakeholders and monitor issues impacting on communities in order to respond to the emerging needs of people in communities right across the country.
116. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on her recent attendance at the OECD rural conference. [49953/22]
View answerIreland was proud to host the 13th OECD Rural Development Conference in Cavan from 28-30 September of this year.
It was the first time this prestigious event has taken place in Ireland, and brought together approximately 400 policymakers, practitioners and rural stakeholders from across the OECD member states.
The Conference featured a series of wide-ranging discussions to identify best practices and policy actions that will make rural regions more resilient to global challenges, and better-positioned to capitalise on emerging opportunities.
It was a fantastic opportunity to share our experiences in the development and implementation of Ireland's national rural development policy, Our Rural Future 2021-2025, and also to learn from our counterparts, who are facing many of the same rural development challenges as we are dealing with here.
I was delighted to welcome the Deputy Secretary General of the OECD and rural development ministers from the United States, Korea, Scotland and other member states to Cavan, and was particularly pleased that An Taoiseach also addressed the conference.
The Conference also agreed the Cavan-OECD Roadmap on Strengthening Rural Resilience for Global Challenges, a policy document which will help guide the OECD's rural development work, as well as policymaking in individual states. This document is available on my Department's website.
117. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will meet a delegation from Inis Oirr to discuss the deficits in infrastructure on the island that need special support from her Department's islands fund including sewerage, piers, roads, electricity, water and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53739/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the maintenance and development of the infrastructure on the islands referred to lies primarily with the relevant Local Authority and/or relevant utility companies.
The Government's objective is that sustainable, vibrant communities can continue to live on all our inhabited offshore islands. My Department recognises that for this to be achieved it is essential that investment is made in the maintenance and upgrading of island infrastructure and therefore provides co-funding for a programme of capital works on the islands. This funding encourages Local Authorities to undertake these projects, which due to geographical challenges, and additional costs, may not otherwise be prioritised.
Officials from my Department would be available to attend any meeting that is arranged between the group referred to by the Deputy and the relevant Local Authority and/or the relevant utility companies to discuss infrastructural issues on the island. Requests for such meetings should be addressed directly to the relevant agencies.
118. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on local improvement scheme waiting lists per county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53870/22]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. Rural connectivity is an important element in Our Rural Future. Such roads represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents - providing access to people’s homes and farms, as well as outdoor amenities such as lakes, rivers or beaches.
LIS was reintroduced in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding in place. The Scheme is administered locally by the relevant local authority, which is responsible for prioritising and selecting eligible applications within broad parameters set by my Department.
I have prioritised the Scheme in my Department. This year alone I have allocated €22 million to LIS, which is a substantial portion of my Department’s overall capital budget of €208m. While of course there are competing demands on finite resources, in four of the past six years, additional resources were directed to the Scheme mid-year to address strong demand for the scheme across rural Ireland. Since the scheme was reintroduced in 2017, aggregate investment has now surpassed the €100 million mark.
I acknowledge there is strong demand for the Scheme, and in some counties local authorities have declared significant levels of applications on hand. I recently asked my officials to engage with local authorities to ascertain exactly what levels of applications are on hand. As there are significant variances between the returns submitted, I have asked my officials to engage with a number of local authorities to verify the robustness of the data submitted in order to ascertain an accurate overview of the current demand.
119. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on the remuneration of staff at Pobal. [44811/22]
View answerPobal is a not-for-profit company which works on behalf of Irish Government and European Union in managing programmes that contribute to social inclusion, equality and reconciliation. It comprises of a Board of Directors who are responsible for the governance and strategic direction of Pobal.
The Board operates to best practice corporate governance principles ensuring compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and the Charities Governance Code. The Board delegates to the CEO the authority to manage the operation of the organisation and has approved the Scheme of Delegation of Authority to the CEO for this purpose.
Pobal is committed to conducting business with integrity and to the highest ethical standards. The salary scales for staff in Pobal are aligned to public sector salary scales.
120. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the roll-out of the town centre first initiative; and when a fresh round of calls is planned. [53401/22]
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.
Key to this, is the establishment of the National Implementation Office to assist in the delivery and implementation of the policy, and to co-ordinate stakeholder engagement at a national level. It is also responsible for coordinating the work Town Regeneration Officers in driving implementation of the policy.
The head of the National Implementation Office has been appointed and recruitment of support staff is ongoing. Similarly, local authorities have advanced the appointment of the Town Regeneration Officers funded by my Department who will drive the development of Town Centre First Plans at a local level.
26 towns have been chosen initially to develop these Town Centre First plans, with each being funded by my Department. The plans should be tailored to the needs of each town in addressing vacancy and dereliction and in making them better places to live, work, visit and do business. The Town Regeneration Officer will also assist in the identification of the next town in their area to be included under the policy roll out.
Earlier this year, the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund was also launched which will support the refurbishment of vacant homes and the availability of serviced sites. I understand that the Fund will be extended to rural areas and cities in November.
Significant funding for the support of Town Centre First objectives also continues through schemes administered by my Department such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. These schemes provide vital financial support to communities to address issues such as vacancy and dereliction in rural towns.
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.
