Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2023
24. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the works on a building (details supplied) in Kilrush, to be funded by the building acquisition measure of the town and village renewal scheme. [9042/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) prioritised projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy in town centres.
In recognition of the urgent need to transform and regenerate town centres I introduced a new Building Acquisition Measure (BAM) under the 2022 Scheme. The purpose of this measure was to support local authorities to immediately acquire derelict or vacant buildings, with the intention of using these projects for town regeneration purposes in line with the aims of TVRS.
Clare County Council were approved funding under this measure to purchase the building referred to by the Deputy with the intention of further developing it into an urban renewal educational research training facility.
All funding associated with buildings purchases under the 2022 BAM, including the building referred to by the Deputy, were successfully drawn down by year end 2022.
The property funded under BAM must form the basis of an application under a future TVRS call or be developed for town regeneration purposes via the local authorities' own resources or another funding stream by the end of 2024.
I am committed to ensuring that initiatives such as the Building Acquisition Measure continue to underpin the delivery of the objectives set out in Our Rural Future.
