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Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020

Thursday, 5 November 2020

Ceisteanna (34)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Ceist:

34. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the initiatives she is taking to support town and village renewal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34096/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department's Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and Town and Village Renewal Scheme are both key initiatives that support town and village renewal.

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund was established as part of Project Ireland 2040 and the associated National Development Plan. Project Ireland 2040 committed to a €1 billion fund over the period 2019-2027, with €320 million of this is to be provided over the period to 2022.

A total of 139 projects have been approved for funding of €166 million under the Fund to date.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme has been in operation since 2016. Since then, almost 1,200 projects have been approved for over €78 million in grant funding to support the rejuvenation of small towns and villages throughout the country.

This year’s scheme was tailored to focus on initiatives that could support towns and villages in responding to the challenges presented by COVID-19. To date in 2020, I have announced funding of €10.4 million for 363 projects under the Accelerated Measure of this year's Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Applications under the Standard Measure of the Town & Village Renewal Scheme, which has a budget of €15 million, are currently being assessed and the successful projects will be announced when that process is complete.

Together with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I have also established an Inter-Departmental Group to progress the commitment in the Programme for Government to develop a Town Centre First Policy and to review the suggested actions in the report on the Town Centre Living Initiative which was published in June. The first meeting of this group is scheduled to take place next week and the Group has been tasked with bringing forward recommendations to Government as its work progresses.

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