Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 May 2018
53. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the commitment in the Action Plan for Rural Development regarding improvements to 600 towns and villages by 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18985/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a key part of the Action Plan for Rural Development. The Plan contains over 270 actions across Government to help rural Ireland achieve its full economic and social potential.
Since the launch of the Action Plan for Rural Development in January 2017, I have allocated €21.6 million to 281 projects throughout the country under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
Last week, I launched the 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which will see up to a further 200 towns and villages benefit from an allocation of €15 million over the next 15 to 18 months.
A further call for proposal in 2019 will see the target in the Action Plan for Rural Development of supporting the revitalisation of 600 towns and villages over the period 2017-2019 being reached, or even exceeded.
It should be borne in mind that the Town and Village Renewal Scheme was first launched by this Government in the second half of 2016, and prior to the publication of the Action Plan for Rural Development €10 million was allocated to 170 projects under the scheme. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme has therefore provided in excess of €31 million to over 450 projects since 2016.
The Government’s commitment to supporting rural Ireland is underscored through Project Ireland 2040, which will see the creation of a new €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to be launched in the coming months. This new Fund will provide an opportunity to deliver more integrated and ambitious projects which will further support the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages.
