The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), introduced in 2016, is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme over €156 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects across Ireland. The Scheme has supported towns and villages the length and breadth of the country.
In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, TVRS priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to support vibrant and attractive communities and to respond to changing needs and opportunities.
In 2022, in recognition of the urgent need to transform and regenerate town centres I introduced a new Building Acquisition Measure (BAM) which enabled local authorities to immediately acquire derelict or vacant buildings, with the intention of using these projects for town regeneration purposes. Twenty nine properties were purchased utilising €6.1m funding in 2022. A further 24 properties were purchased under BAM in 2023 utilising €4.6m in funding.
In 2022, Louth County Council was successful in its submission of an application for the purchase of a building in Dunleer as referred to by the Deputy, for use as a multipurpose community space. Louth County Council have until the end of 2024 to commence redevelopment of the property.
Whilst Louth County Council did not submit an application under BAM in 2023, in the lifetime of this Government, Louth has benefited from more than €2.2million under TVRS alone.
The 2023 TVRS was launched on 21 July 2023 with an overall fund of €15 million. There was no minimum submission requirement, and local authorities were invited to submit up to 5 applications to the value of €1.5 million per local authority. The closing date for receipt of applications to the Department was 10th November 2023 and the competitive assessment process in now nearing completion. I expect to announce the successful projects shortly.
