Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
232. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what strategies he will employ with respect to reducing the commercial vacancy rate in a town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39737/23]
View answerThe Town Centre First (TCF) Policy was jointly developed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Department of Heritage and Rural and Community Development, which 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.
My colleagues Darragh O’Brien T.D., Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Heather Humphreys T.D., Minister for Rural and Community Development are best placed to assist further as the TCF fall under the remits of their Departments.
In December 2021, Minister Humphreys announced €2.6m in funding for 26 towns for the development of Town Centre First Plans. These 26 towns were nominated by local authorities and approved by the Minister.
A Town Centre First Plan reimagines the potential of an individual town and focus in particular on its town centre and immediate surrounds and identify potential future projects in the area. The Plan will be bespoke to each town and will identify specific interventions including tackling dereliction and vacancy, promoting town centre living, maintaining a strong local economy, creating high value job opportunities, and promoting compact growth.
For example, Clare Local Authority was awarded funding to complete a TCF Plan for Sixmilebridge. This Plan has now been completed and can be viewed www.clarecoco.ie/services/economic-development/town-centre-first/sixmilebridge/
The Department is currently making preparations for a further phase of the Town Centre First Plan Initiative, which is expected to be finalised and announced shortly.
Town Regeneration Officers (TRO) are being appointed across the 26 rural local authorities as a key driver of the policy at local level. A TRO has been appointed within Clare County Council. 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 in order to tackle issues regarding rural regeneration, including the issue of vacancy and dereliction.
