Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 February 2017
244. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will provide a list of the 600 towns that are to receive investment and support under the action plan for rural development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4813/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan for Rural Development contains a number of measures which have the objective of rejuvenating Ireland’s rural towns and villages to make them more attractive places in which to live and work and to increase their tourism potential.
As part of Budget 2017, I have secured funding of €12 million for an enhanced Town and Village Renewal scheme this year. This represents a trebling of the original 2016 baseline allocation of €4 million for the scheme. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2017 will be launched shortly and towns and villages to be included in the scheme will be selected through an application and assessment process. The scheme will be funded by my Department and administered by the Local Authorities. Details of the successful applicants will be published following the assessment process.
As part of the scheme, I intend to launch a pilot project separately, later in the year, to encourage residential occupancy in rural towns and villages. This pilot will be launched in the second half of the year, when details of the scheme have been finalised in consultation with relevant Departments. The pilot will examine ways in which properties that are currently not in use in town centres can be renovated to allow them to be used for residential purposes.
My Department will also provide funding through a number of structured schemes for the conservation and protection of heritage buildings, including the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, the Structures at Risk Fund and other initiatives operated by the Heritage Council. These schemes will also contribute to the rejuvenation of towns and villages across the country.
