Written Answers Nos. 853-872
853. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 2024 of 19 January 2022, the reason that an organic farming scheme payment has not issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11412/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously advised, all applicants in the Organic Farming Scheme are subject to annual validation checks to ensure the payments are correct. The person named declared an organic parcel on their Basic Payment Scheme application in 2021 that was not included on their Organic Farming Scheme application.
My Department is currently addressing this issue and will update on any progress directly to the applicant.
854. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected costs relating to advisers and consultants a farmer is expected to incur in the process of taking part in the Agri-Environment Climate Measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11413/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's draft CAP Strategic Plan ##2023 – 2027, which lists the range of interventions currently being proposed, was submitted to the EU Commission on 31st December 2021. One of the intervention proposed therein is an agri-environment climate measure (AECM).
€1.5 billion has been allocated to this flagship agri-environment scheme which will be the successor to the Green Low Carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) which was available under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. This is aimed at delivering benefits for the environment as well as delivering a key income support for farmers.
It is proposed that, similar to GLAS, a requirement of the new AECM will be that each applicant must engage the services of an approved agricultural advisor to prepare and submit application on his/her behalf.
The selection and engagement of an advisor is, however, a personal business arrangement between the applicant and their advisor. The Department has no role in determining fees or any other aspect of the arrangement.
855. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to restrict the use of supertrawlers and factory ships in Irish territorial waters. [11454/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra868. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he will take to mitigate harm caused by supertrawlers and factory ships on Irish fishing communities. [11780/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 855 and 868 together.
The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is a set of rules for managing European fishing fleets and for conserving fish stocks. Under this policy, EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds subject to allocated fish quotas. Fishing vessels, irrespective of size, must comply with the rules of the CFP, including rules on access and catch limits/quota.
The terms "supertrawler" and "factory ship" are sometimes used to describe large fishing vessels targeting pelagic stocks such as mackerel, horse mackerel and herring. In particular, "factory ship or trawler" usually refers to vessels which process and freeze fish on board the vessel. As the Deputy will be aware, while the Irish fleet does not have "factory vessels", it does include very large fishing vessels targeting pelagic stocks which have the capacity to catch large quantities on a trip for processing in factories on land and which could be termed "supertrawlers".
In relation to access to Irish coastal waters, I would point out that all foreign fishing vessels, on the north-west coast, are excluded from Ireland's 12 mile fishing zone, other than for transit purposes. All foreign pelagic fishing vessels are also precluded from fishing in Ireland's 12 mile fishing zone on the west coast. Irish fishing vessels greater than or equal to 36.58m (120 feet) in length are also precluded from fishing in Ireland's 12 mile zone.
Ireland's control authorities, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service, are responsible for the monitoring and control of fishing vessels, including large fishing vessels targeting pelagic stocks, in our Exclusive Fisheries Zone to ensure compliance with the rules of the CFP. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational issues of this nature concerning sea-fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the SFPA and the Naval Service and I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters.
Last year, the European Commission published a proposal to rollover, for another ten years, the provisions relating to the restrictions on access to Member States' 6-12 nautical miles zones, as set out in the CFP Regulation (Regulation (EU) No. 1380/2013). I secured Government approval last week to seek an extension of the zones around Ireland to 12 and 20 miles respectively. I believe that there is a strong case to be made to increase the protections for Ireland’s fishing fleets in these waters, particularly against the background of Brexit. I will now engage with Commissioner Sinkevicius, fellow Fishery Ministers and MEPs to seek to advance Ireland’s case on this matter.
856. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of the amount assigned to each local authority to rejuvenate public piers and harbours under the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve in tabular form. [11455/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 25th January, I launched a new €35m scheme exclusively for the rejuvenation of local authority owned public piers and harbours. The scheme flows from a recommendation from the Seafood Taskforce which I set up last year to examine how to address the impacts arising on the seafood sector from the EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). In keeping with the Taskforce recommendation, this scheme is being proposed for funding under the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve and will run throughout 2022 and 2023.
The Scheme is aiming to attract shovel-ready projects of up to €1m budget in areas where the local coastal community is dependent on fishing activities, in particular the small-scale coastal fisheries sector. In addition, the Scheme offers the possibility of funding larger projects where there is particular exposure to Brexit due to proximity to UK waters and the loss of fishing opportunities.
I would encourage all coastal local authorities to submit project applications and work closely with my Department to ensure that eligible projects receive funding. Applications will be assessed, taking into account compliance with the criteria of the scheme, the priority attached to each project by the relevant Local Authority and the need to ensure a broad geographical spread of projects. Applications have been invited for the first tranche of projects by 8th March and there will be further calls later in the year.
I must stress that responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority in the first instance. I am also mindful that the primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and any wider funding issues for local authorities should be addressed to that Minister.
857. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); if he will respond to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11530/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the challenges that Irish pig farmers are currently facing, due to a combination of extremely low prices and extraordinarily high input costs.
I, along with other Agriculture Ministers, have called for an integrated EU-wide approach and for the Commission to deploy appropriate solutions to the current crisis. However, the Commission has consistently directed Member States instead to deminimis and other state aids.
A number of measures have been brought forward to support the Irish pig sector including intensification of promotion activity by Bord Bia and advisory supports from Teagasc.
There is also support for access to finance through the Brexit Impact Loan Scheme and the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme, both of which are financed by my Department in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and can be used for working capital.
I announced on 22nd February, the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme (PEPS) which is a €7 million support scheme for commercial pig farmers who produced 200 or more pigs in 2021. This is an urgent, short-term response assist producers that would be viable but for the extreme current circumstances and allow space for a more medium-term adjustment to market signals.
Details on the application process will be made available shortly.
858. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue in relation to an outstanding ANC claim by a person (details supplied). [11567/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted an application to participate in the 2021 Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme on 27th April 2021.
As set out in the terms and conditions of the scheme, to qualify for payment, applicants must satisfy the following minimum stocking requirements:
- Maintain a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per eligible forage hectare for seven consecutive months within the 2021 calendar year.
- Maintain an annual average stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per eligible forage hectare for the 2021 calendar year.
The person named did not satisfy the minimum stocking requirements for the 2021 scheme year and therefore did not qualify for payment.
An appeal was submitted by the person named regarding his eligibility for payment under the 2021 scheme. Following a review of the case it was determined that the person named did not to meet the criteria to be considered under the grounds of Force Majeure/Exceptional Circumstances and was therefore rejected.
A letter has issued to the person named informing him of the outcome of his appeal and advising him of his right to submit an additional appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office within 3 months from the date of the letter.
859. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the policy instructions or policy documents he has brought to the attention of An Bord Pleanála since coming into office [11592/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that there have been no policy instructions or policy documents brought to the attention of An Bord Pleanála by my Department.
860. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if her Department is on target in its promise to issue a 107% increase of afforestation licences for 2022 in view of the percentage of afforestation licences issued year to date at 13% of the total which is similar to figures of afforestation licences issued in the same timeframe in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11613/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra861. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that a consistent number of licences have been issued to Coillte each week from week ending 21 January to week ending 18 February 2022 with the number of licences issued to the private sector declining in the same period in view of the number of licences issued declining overall from 143 to 99 during this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11614/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 860 and 861 together.
We are proposing to substantially increase our licence output in 2022 as outlined in the recently published Forestry Licensing Plan. The targets for 2022 are shown below and represent a year-on-year increase of 30%. The table below also shows licences issued to 18th February and that output is keeping pace with the overall target.
|
- |
Total Annual Target |
Licences Issued (18th Feb) |
|
Afforestation |
1,040 |
87 |
|
Forest Roads |
850 |
100 |
|
Tree Felling |
3,360 |
521 |
|
Total |
5,250 |
708 |
We are committed to achieving our published targets for the year. On felling the output is a combination of Coillte and private licencing. Private felling licencing is at 94% of its target YTD and overall felling licencing is at 114% of its target YTD.
For afforestation it is an ambitious target for 2022 and we are reviewing resources to ensure that this target is met.
To achieve our afforestation targets, the forestry sector must also play its part in responding to further information requests in a timely manner and it is also important that the number of good quality new applications received by the Department is increased.
862. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of commercial abattoirs are registered and licensed with his Department; the maximum kill capacity if all of these premises were running at full capacity for one week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11633/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently has supervisory responsibility for 50 approved slaughter establishments. A full list of these establishments and details of the approval process can be found on my Department's website at:
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/foodsafetyconsumerissues/dafmapprovedestablishments.
My Department does not hold information on the ‘maximum kill capacity’ of each slaughter establishment under its supervision.
The table below sets out the total numbers of cattle, sheep and pigs presented for slaughter in approved establishments under the supervision of this Department. This data has been extracted from the Department's Animal Identification and Movement system in respect of 2021:
|
- |
Animals Presented for Slaughter – Department Supervised Slaughter Establishments |
|
|
2021 |
|
Cattle |
1,687,252 |
|
Sheep |
2,501,295 |
|
Pigs |
3,295,011 |
863. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if abattoirs are operated by local butchers classified differently to commercial meat plants; if so, the number that are registered with his Department; the number of animals that were slaughtered on these premises in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11634/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Union (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 22 of 2020), which give further effect in Ireland to the European food hygiene regulations (“the Hygiene Package”), provide the method by which meat processing establishments, including slaughtering establishments, can apply for approval to operate.
The regulations also provide the demarcation limits for supervision in terms of volume of throughput. A food business operator that wishes to operate a food business engaged in slaughter;
- where no more than 100 livestock units are slaughtered in any week with a maximum of 5,000 livestock units slaughtered in a calendar year;
- a food business engaged in the slaughter of poultry where no more than 3,000 birds are slaughtered in any week with a maximum of 150,000 birds slaughtered in a calendar year;
- a food business engaged in the slaughter of lagomorphs where no more than 3,000 lagomorphs are slaughtered in any week with a maximum of 150,000 lagomorphs slaughtered in a calendar year.
Should apply to the local authority in whose functional area the business is situate for approval. Where the volume of throughput is greater than these amounts, the application should be made to my Department.
On receipt of an application for approval, the appropriate competent authority will arrange for and carry out an approval inspection to ensure that the establishment meets all of the requirements of the regulations. Amongst the areas that must be satisfactory are the establishment’s food safety management system (it must meet the requirements of hazard analysis), structures, provision for welfare of animals and staff with a level of training and skills to correctly carry out all aspects of slaughtering and dressing. Once approval is granted by my Department or by a local authority, slaughtering may only take place under veterinary supervision.
The Department currently has supervisory authority for 50 such approved slaughter establishments, a full list of which can be found on my Department's website at:
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/foodsafetyconsumerissues/dafmapprovedestablishments.
There are 87 approved slaughter establishments under local authority supervision, a full list of which can be found on the FSAI’s website at:
www.fsai.ie/food_businesses/approved_food_establishments.html.
The table below sets out the total numbers of cattle, sheep and pigs presented for slaughter in approved establishments under the supervision of local authorities. This data has been extracted from the Department's Animal Identification and Movement system in respect of 2019, 2020 and 2021:
|
- |
Animals Presented for Slaughter – Local Authority Supervised Slaughter Establishments |
||
|
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Cattle |
106,861 |
96,116 |
104,905 |
|
Sheep |
230,764 |
242,441 |
244,353 |
|
Pigs |
51,045 |
51,713 |
68,092 |
864. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11649/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) was to provide temporary exceptional adjustment aid to farmers in the beef sector in Ireland. The granting of the aid was subject to the conditions set out in EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132.
Just over 33,000 participants, including the person named, joined the scheme and, in doing so, gave a commitment to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on the holding by 5% for the period 1st July 2020 to 30th June 2021 as compared with the reference period of 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019 as recorded on the Department's AIM system.
In light of the difficulties some farmers were experiencing in meeting this reduction arising from COVID-19 Government Public Health restrictions, I sough a new reference period through negotiations with the European Commission. I introduced an alternative reduction period for those who required it. In that context, from 19th March 2021, BEAM participants were able to select the alternative reduction period of 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021 over which to meet their 5% reduction. This facility remained open until 21st June 2021 and some 16,000 BEAM participants opted for the deferred reduction period.
The person named did not apply to be included in the later reduction period and therefore his reduction period remained as 1st July 2020 - 30th June 2021. Following the end of that reduction period, my Department undertook a series of administrative and compliance checks to ensure that the commitments farmers had entered into under the BEAM Terms and Conditions had been met.
In the case of the person named, the commitment to reduce the bovine livestock manure nitrogen by 5% was not met and, as a result, all of the BEAM payment made to him in 2019 was recouped.
The person named contacted the Department to request a review of the decision. As part of the review, the nitrates figures for the applicant were checked through my Department's Animal Identification Movement system (AIM) for the full year of the deferred reduction period (1 January 2021 - 31 December 2021) and it was determined that, even if the applicant had applied for the alternative reduction period, the 5% bovine nitrates reduction would still not have been met.
A letter issued on 1st February 2022 informing the applicant of the outcome of the review and of his right to appeal the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
865. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of funding for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11670/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
RCÉ made an application to my Department for approval of a grant of €1m towards the redevelopment of Kilkenny Greyhound Stadium. This application is currently being considered by officials from my Department.
866. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the compensation package that he committed to when he met with farmers whose lands had been damaged and or destroyed by the Shass mountain landslide which occurred almost 20 months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11679/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is working to develop a package of measures to assist the affected farmers and landowners. Any such measures will have to be consistent with the Public Expenditure code and with the state aid rules.
867. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the schemes that are available for farmers to plant forestry on one hectare; the terms and conditions of these schemes; when they will be open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11687/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine provides a range of grants and premiums for the planting of new forests under the Afforestation Scheme with associated terms and conditions. Scheme conditions apply to technical standards such as the species of tree proposed, fencing specifications and a range of setback distance from environmental features. Other conditions relate to payment eligibility and are available on my Department's website.
All areas of 0.1 ha or greater are eligible for this scheme which includes areas of one hectare of either broadleaves or conifers or a mix of both. Currently, all new forests planted that are 0.1 ha or greater require a licence from my Department.
The Government is also progressing through the houses of the Oireachtas a legislative change which will allow the planting of up to one hectare of native woodland without a licence when planted as part of a scheme. The terms and conditions of this scheme will be drafted if the legislation is successfully passed by the Oireachtas. My Department will consult with stakeholders before any such scheme is drafted and will be screened for a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment.
869. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on community hubs for residential areas that are losing a post office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11536/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague, the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications has policy responsibility for the postal sector, however, I am aware of the particular value placed by local communities, especially those in rural areas, on services such as those provided by the local post office.
Rural and regional development is at the heart of the Programme for Government. My Department's five year rural development policy Our Rural Future recognises that strong rural economies and communities are vital in supporting and safeguarding the sustainability of vibrant towns and villages across the country.
Significant investment in rural Ireland is taking place across Government and my Department will continue to support communities across rural Ireland through a range of funding schemes and supports. Budget 2022 has allocated a total of €379 million to my Department. Much of this funding will support the economic and social development of rural areas under my Department’s Rural Development, Regional Affairs and Islands Programme.
Funding is available from my Department through a variety of funding programmes , including the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the CLÁR Programme, the Community Enhancement Programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and funding for our Public Libraries.
Funding is also delivered through the Community Services Programme, LEADER Programme and the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme where supports are tailored to the specific needs of individual areas.
The new Connected Hubs Call aims to support and complement the development of the National Hub Network, which is a key action of the Rural Development Policy, Our Rural Future, and the National Remote Working Strategy – Making Remote Work. The Connected Hubs Call aims to add additional capacity to the existing remote working infrastructure in Ireland by upgrading existing hubs and Broadband Connection Points (BCPs), while continuing to support COVID-19 mitigation measures. The Connected Hubs Call will provide owners, operators and managers of existing remote working facilities and Broadband Connection Points with the opportunity to identify and develop their own solutions in consultation with local authorities, local business interests (e.g. Chambers of Commerce), Town Teams (or similar bodies) and community groups as appropriate. The deadline for applications is 6pm on 4th April 2022.
To conclude, I want to acknowledge An Post and the postmasters around the country who provided vital services to communities throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and should be commended for that.
870. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide details of such hubs (details supplied) in counties Cavan, Monaghan and north Meath areas in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10867/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the potential of remote working hubs as key economic assets for our rural towns and villages. Notwithstanding the clear benefits to individuals and families in terms of quality of life indicators, remote working from hubs will also support local economies, reduce carbon emissions and may arrest or reverse the depopulation of certain areas.
Last May I launched the National Connected Hubs network together with the connectedhubs.ie platform. The platform offers a suite of booking and hub management applications to members of the Network. There are currently 202 hubs live on the platform, with this number increasing on an ongoing basis. In total 10 of these 202 hubs are located across counties Cavan, Meath and Monaghan (with a further 33 hubs within these counties mapped for invitation to join the network). The attached table provides a breakdown for these figures .
My Department continues to fund the establishment and development of remote working hubs under a number of funding streams. For example, under the Connected Hubs 2021 funding call, approximately €800,000 was awarded to applicants across counties Cavan, Meath and Monaghan enabling the enhancement of their remote working facilities. Hub facilities that benefitted from this funding included The Station House in County Monaghan, Cavan Digital Hub in County Cavan and Teach Raithneach Heritage & Cultural Centre, a Broadband Connection Point (BCP) facility in County Meath.
I have also recently announced funding of €18.5m under the 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Successful projects included 28 remote working proposals, with support awarded to the Kilmainhamwood Multipurpose Centre in Meath to develop multi-purpose and remote working spaces.
I also recently launched the 2022 Connected Hubs Call, a €5 million funding stream to further support remote working facilities (including BCPs) throughout the country and add further capacity to the National Hub Network.
Details of all these schemes and successful applications are available at www.gov.ie.
The development of a National Hubs Network is a key commitment in Our Rural Future and I am committed to continuing my Department's support for the ongoing development of a comprehensive and integrated network of remote working hubs in recognition of the vital role that they can play in our post-Covid recovery.
[<a href="https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2022-03-01_pq870-01-03-22_en.docx">connectedhubs</a>
871. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the next round of CLÁR funding will open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10918/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period.
The 2022 CLÁR programme was launched on the 24th February last with an increased budget of €7 million and is now open for applications.
The measures being funded under CLÁR 2022 are:
Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities
Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport
Measure 3: Our Islands
Applications will only be accepted through local authorities under measure 1. Applications can be submitted directly to my Department in respect of measures 2 and 3.
Details of the various measures, including the relevant Scheme Outline and eligibility criteria, are available on my Department's website.
872. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the locations in Limerick which will benefit from the town centre first plan scheme; what these benefits will be; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11021/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recently published Town Centre First - A Policy Approach for Irish Towns represents a major new policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres.
The policy contains 33 actions which will give our towns the tools and resources they need to become more viable and attractive places in which to live, work, socialise and run a business. It will support Town Teams to develop their own tailored Town Centre First Plans. This will focus on charting the future direction of their towns, address issues of vacancy and dereliction, and add vibrancy to the town centre.
The implementation of the actions in these plans will be underpinned by significant levels of public investment spread across major Government schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), the Croí Conaithe (Towns) Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
This will include funding through these schemes to address the regeneration of vacant and derelict buildings as identified in the Town Centre First plans.
The policy includes a range of other actions to embed the Town Centre First process nationally and support towns such as those referred to by the Deputy. This includes funding for new Town Regeneration Officers in local authorities across the country who will support Town Teams and local stakeholders to implement Town Centre First and tackle the individual challenges facing their town.
The local Town Team, drawn from local community and business representatives, will work with local stakeholders to progress drafting of the plans and to identify challenges, actions and integrated responses across a number of themes (business/commercial; community/cultural; housing; built environment; heritage).
Some 26 towns have already been allocated funding of €100,000 to produce their Town Centre First Plans, including Abbeyfeale in Co Limerick.
Additional towns will be supported to develop plans as the policy is rolled out.
