Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2018
696. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason an action (details supplied) under the Action Plan for Rural Development was not delivered by the timeline committed to; the revised timeline by quarter and year for delivery of this action; if no revised timeline has been set to date, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37111/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe action referred to by the Deputy is just one of a number of measures in the Action Plan for Rural Development designed to revitalise town and village centres in rural Ireland.
A Steering Group was established by my Department to progress the action and oversee the design and delivery of a pilot model to encourage increased residential occupancy of available properties in rural towns and villages. The Steering Group is chaired by my Department and involves a number of other key Departments and agencies, including the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Finance, and the County and City Management Association which provides representation from the Local Authority sector.
The reasons why properties are not being used in town centres for residential purposes are complex, and this has contributed to the delay in the introduction of the pilot scheme. As the Deputy will be aware, the factors which attract people to live in particular settlements can be many and varied, including the availability of schools, shops, transport and other services. These issues needed to be properly considered in order to ensure, insofar as is possible, that any pilot scheme put in place would be successful and result in increased numbers of people living in town and village centres.
The Steering Group has considered a number of options for a pilot scheme based on its discussions and a specific proposal has been presented to me for consideration. I hope to be in a position to provide further details of the preferred approach very shortly.
