Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 May 2019
62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the reports in relation to the town and village pilot residential occupancy scheme from each of the six local authorities will be published; when the pilot scheme will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22880/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI launched the pilot scheme to encourage increased residential occupancy in rural towns and villages last October, and announced that six towns had been invited to participate in the initial pilot.
The primary objective of the scheme is to encourage people to return to living in town centres. This is part of a wider range of measures being taken across Government to revitalise towns and villages and address the issue of vacant premises. The scheme is being led locally by the relevant Local Authorities, in close collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, and is overseen by my Department.
The 6 towns which were identified for inclusion in the pilot are:
1. Boyle, Co Roscommon
2. Callan, Co Kilkenny
3. Ballinrobe, Co Mayo
4. Banagher, Co Offaly
5. Castleblayney, Co Monaghan
6. Cappoquin, Co Waterford
Funding of up to €100,000 is being made available to each of these towns to develop proposals to encourage town centre living. This funding will be used by the Local Authorities to engage with communities and local businesses, and identify practical solutions to increase the number of people living in their town centres. It is envisaged that the solutions identified could lead to the development of more substantive proposals for funding from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in due course.
I expect to receive a report from each of the relevant Local Authorities in the next month on the progress which they have made so far. The lessons learnt through this pilot initiative can help to inform our approach to supporting and investing in rural towns and villages in the future.
