Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
846. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 3 March 2022, the status of the national oversight and advisory group for town centre first; the membership of the group; the terms of reference of the group; the number of times the group has met to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27808/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town Centre First (TCF) Policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres.
Key to this is the establishment of the National Implementation Office to assist in the delivery and implementation of the policy, and to co-ordinate stakeholder engagement at a national level.
This office will be responsible for supporting Town Regeneration Officers (TRO) in driving implementation of the policy and will also produce an Annual Implementation Plan.
My Department has agreed the structure and funding for the National Office and the TROs with local authorities. The first step is the appointment of the head of the National Implementation Office. The recruitment process for this key post is currently ongoing.
Similarly, local authorities have now also been authorised to commence the recruitment of TROs who will drive the development of TCF Plans at local level across the country.
Action 27 of the TCF policy is to establish a National Oversight and Advisory Group (NOAG) to monitor and guide the delivery of the policy, together with Annual Implementation Plans produced by the National Implementation Office. It will provide cross-government focus and alignment on policies. It will also consider adaptations and additions to the actions outlined in this Policy during its implementation and have responsibility for the review of the Town Centre First policy at three year intervals.
The Group may include Government Departments; the Local Government sector; agencies central to supporting towns; other experts; and sectoral, business and community representatives as appropriate. The immediate priority for my Department is the establishment of the National Implementation Office. Once the Office is operational the next steps include the establishment of the NOAG.
I am committed to ensuring that the continued roll out of the Town Centre First policy will work to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages as set out in Our Rural Future.
