Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2023
33. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the roll-out of the towns first policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8976/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town Centre First Policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. It supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being and development.
My Department co-chairs the National Oversight and Advisory Group for the policy with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This Group serves to oversees delivery of the policy and ensures there is clear stakeholder visibility in relation to implementation. The Group met for the first time in December and is due to meet again shortly.
The establishment of the National Implementation Office is key to the success of the policy. The Office supports Town Regeneration Officers in driving implementation at a local level and coordinates stakeholder engagement. This structure has now been put in place within the Local Government Management Association.
As well as providing policy leadership, my Department is supporting the development of Town Centre First Plans under the policy. I approved funding of €2.6m in December 2021 for an initial phase of 26 towns across the country. These initial plans are due for completion in June this year and I expect to announce a further call for towns to develop their Town Centre First Plan later this year.
Central to the Town Centre First approach is the range of support funding in place, including my Department’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Last December, I announced €27 million in funding to combat dereliction and breathe new life into rural towns and villages under the 2022 Scheme.
In addition, last November I announced funding of €115m for regeneration projects across rural towns under my Department's Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for 2023. These projects focus on combating vacancy and dereliction by regenerating iconic town centre buildings such as old hotels, banks, schools, and courthouses and are thus central to the Town Centre First approach.
My Department remains committed to the success of the Town Centre First policy to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages as set out in Our Rural Future.
