Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2372. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 847 of 10 July 2018, the number of expressions of interest received by Galway City and County Councils; the number selected and submitted to his Department for consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32873/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe previous question referred to by the Deputy related to the 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
The 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched on 27th April, with an indicative allocation of €15 million. Local Authorities were invited to seek expressions of interest from communities under the scheme and to submit up to 12 proposals to my Department for consideration by the closing date of 30th June 2018.
I understand that 37 expressions of interest were received by Galway County Council and, of those, 12 were selected and developed into full applications and submitted to my Department in line with the scheme outline.
Eligible towns and villages under the scheme are those that have a population of less than 10,000 people; therefore no applications were received from Galway City Council.
All applications are currently being assessed and it is anticipated that successful projects will be announced in early September. Projects will be expected to commence before the end of the year and be completed over a period of 18 months.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a key component in the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages. Over €31.6 million has been approved for more than 450 projects across the country since the scheme was introduced in the second half of 2016. It is anticipated that up to 200 additional projects will be supported under the 2018 scheme.
