Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2023
81. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire 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. [41411/23]
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 wellbeing 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 oversees the delivery of the policy and ensures there is clear stakeholder visibility in relation to implementation. The Group met in December 2022, and in April 2023 and will meet again this month.
The establishment of the Town Centre First National Office is key to the success of the policy. It supports Town Regeneration Officers, funded by DRCD in all relevant local authorities, in driving implementation at a local level, and it coordinates stakeholder engagement. My officials collaborate closely with the National Office.
My Department is also supporting the development of Town Centre First Plans which will help rural towns identify viable projects in their area. Seven of these plans have been completed to date, with the further nineteen to be completed by the 17th November 2023.
Central to the Town Centre First approach is the range of support funding in place, including my Department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which both aim to prioritise addressing vacancy and dereliction throughout rural Ireland.
In November 2022, I announced funding of €115m for regeneration projects across rural towns under my Department's Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for 2023. These projects include a focus on combating vacancy and dereliction by regenerating iconic town centre buildings such as old hotels, banks, schools, and courthouses.
In March 2023, I launched the 2023 Building Acquisition Measure, which will allow local authorities across the country to purchase up to three buildings up to a total grant value of €500,000. Local authorities have now been informed of the successful applications under this measures and I expect to announce details of these purchased properties shortly.
Similarly, in July 2023 I announced funding of €15 million for this year’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme. This year's Scheme is designed to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland and support activities such as projects focusing on town centre regeneration, enhancing our streetscapes and bringing vacant and derelict buildings back into use as community multi-purpose spaces through refurbishment and renovation. The deadline for local authorities to apply to this scheme is the 10th November 2023.
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.
