Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1499. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide details on the number of town regeneration officers in each local authority in order to drive forward Town Centre First on a local level, and the funding for these positions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36871/23]
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. It supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing and development.
Town Regeneration Officers (TRO) are being appointed across the 26 rural local authorities as a key driver of the policy at local level. They will support local towns and Town Teams, acting as a key link to the local authority. They will support the establishment and ongoing work of Town Teams, providing technical, communications, administrative and project management support to Town Teams and supporting access to funding. TRO's will ensure the development and delivery of Town Centre First at a local level.
TRO’s work closely with the multi-disciplinary technical teams in local authorities, including for example Vacant Homes Officers, building linkages with the Town Team and other stakeholders.
My Department has committed to providing €100,000 per annum in funding to cover both pay and non-pay costs to each eligible local authority for this position for a fixed 3 year period.
Twenty five out of a total 26 TRO’s have been appointed to date, with the remaining position in County Kildare to be appointed shortly. Please see table below listing local authorities with TROs.
The establishment of the National Town Centre First Office is key to the success of the TCF policy. The Office is supporting Town Regeneration Officers in driving implementation at a local level and coordinates stakeholder engagement on an ongoing basis. The National Office also coordinates the TRO Network, which is a platform to support knowledge development and sharing best practice at a national level. This Group meets on a monthly basis. The National Office structure is within the Local Government Management Association, and my Department officials are in ongoing contact with the National Office.
My Department remains committed to the success of the Town Centre First policy to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages as set out in Our Rural Future.
Local Authorities with Town Regeneration Officer posts
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Carlow |
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Cavan |
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Clare |
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Cork |
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Donegal |
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Fingal |
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Galway |
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Kerry |
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Kildare |
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Kilkenny |
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Laois |
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Leitrim |
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Limerick |
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Longford |
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Louth |
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Mayo |
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Meath |
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Monaghan |
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Offaly |
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Roscommon |
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Sligo |
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Tipperary |
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Waterford |
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Westmeath |
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Wexford |
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Wicklow |
