The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland making them more attractive places to live, work, and visit.
Since the introduction of the scheme in 2016 over €149 million has been allocated to more than 1,600 projects across Ireland. It has supported a range of activities from improving public realm areas to initiatives such as the development of enterprise hubs and remote working facilities.
Scheme priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year and in line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the 2022 scheme prioritised the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, with a view to bringing these buildings back into use.
It has been brought to my attention that there are delays in starting TVRS projects in former Garda Stations in Sligo/Leitrim as outlined by the Deputy. The TVRS Team in my Department have been engaging with the relevant local authority and Departments to try and find a solution to the issue, and will be in a position to provide appropriate extensions for these projects.
On 27 March I announced a €13m fund for the 2023 Building Acquisition Measure under TVRS which is again designed to tackle vacancy and dereliction in rural Ireland. This year the measure will provide an increased funding allocation of up to €500,000 to each local authority to purchase up to 3 vacant and derelict buildings for future development as community assets. The call for applications under this measure is now open and local authorities have until 28 April 2023 to submit applications.
