Vol. 537 No. 5
410 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether towns which wish to carry out works to improve their points in the tidy town competition should have financial support to assist them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17206/01]
My Department provides funding under the new urban and village renewal measure of the two regional operational programmes. The funding is intended to support a range of interventions to upgrade cities, towns and villages to make them more attractive places to live and work, and to encourage social and economic development.
Local authorities have been instructed that before selecting projects for funding under this scheme they should consult widely with local groups including tidy towns committees and their views should be taken into account. It is open to every tidy town committee to approach the relevant local authority on this matter.
A total of £11.85 million was made available in 2001 under the urban and village renewal measure, with a total of £124 million to be made available over the life of the programme which is due to finish in 2006.
Total prize money for the Tidy Towns Competition this year will be over £80,000. This prize fund is awarded to individual tidy town committees to use as they wish, including funding work to improve the appearance of their individual towns and villages.
