Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
1532. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the towns that were unsuccessful in their application to the town and village renewal scheme 2017, in tabular form; the amounts they had requested; the reason they did not receive funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55021/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which forms an important part of the Action Plan for rural Development was launched on 13th April last, with a focus on improving the economic development of our rural towns and villages.
In total, my Department received 333 applications under the scheme, including 20 applications under a separate strand for public art works. Officials in my Department assessed each Town and Village application under 5 separate criteria:
- Economic Development potential
- Strategic nature of the proposal, in line with Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs)
- Demonstration of need and potential
- Realistic nature of the proposal
- Value for Money
In order to reach a minimum qualifying standard, a score of at least 65% had to be achieved under each of the criteria listed above.
On the 4th October last, I published a list of 281 successful projects, to a total value of €21.6 million, to be supported under the 2017 scheme. A decision on the 20 applications for funding for public art works was deferred. In addition there were 32 applications that were that were unsuccessful in their bid for funding. I will revert to the Deputy with the details of these applications in tabular form within the coming days.
