Written Answers Nos. 1-53
53. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of local authority requests to date under her Department’s Building Acquisition Measure to tackle vacancy and dereliction in rural Ireland. [19387/23]
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. In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the 2022 Scheme prioritised projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use.
In recognition of the urgent need to transform and regenerate town centres I introduced a new Building Acquisition Measure 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 the overarching Town and Village Renewal Scheme. I am happy to confirm that 29 properties were purchased by local authorities under the 2022 Measure.
Building on the success of the 2022 Measure, funding under the Building Acquisition Measure is again available in 2023.
On 27 March 2023 I announced a €13m fund for this Measure which is again designed to tackle vacancy and dereliction in rural Ireland. This year the Measure will provide an increased funding allocation of up to €500,000 to each local authority to purchase up to 3 vacant and derelict buildings for future development as community assets. The call for applications under this measure is currently open and local authorities have until 28 April 2023 to submit applications.
