Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
15. 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. [49715/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question, which I am taking on behalf of Deputy Ó Laoghaire, is to ask the Minister to provide an update on the roll-out of the town centre first policy, and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The 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.
The town centre first national office is key to the success of the policy. It supports town regeneration officers, funded by my Department, in all relevant local authorities in driving implementation at a local level. My Department 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.
Central to the town centre first approach is the range of support funding in place, including my Department’s rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, and the town and village renewal scheme, which both aim to prioritise addressing vacancy and dereliction throughout rural Ireland.
I announced the next RRDF category 1 call for applications on Friday last, with a focus on revitalising our rural towns and villages, in line with the town centre first policy. I expect to see applications developed for the fund that will drive greater economic activity and footfall, address vacancy and dereliction and ensure the re-use of heritage and other existing buildings.
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. The closing date for applications was last Friday, 10 November 2023, and the assessment process has now commenced. I expect to announce the successful projects in the first quarter of 2024.
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 the Our Rural Future policy.
There is €115 million for regeneration projects across rural towns. How much of this has been spent? Additionally, I refer to the total of three buildings up to a total grant of €500,000. Local authorities have now been informed of the successful applications under this measure. Can we get details of these properties? Could we seek an update on the scheme designed to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland to support activities such as projects focusing on town centre regeneration, enhancing streetscapes and bringing vacant and derelict buildings back into use as community multipurpose spaces through refurbishing and renovation?
This is what we are trying to do. We are working with the local authorities and the town centre first town regeneration officers to identify these properties. For example, I was in Castleblayney on Friday and there is a brand new library in that town. It is in an old building that has been restored. An annex has been added on to it which is brand-new. The library is now a combination of the old and new, and it really will bring footfall into the centre of that town. There are also so many examples of really good projects right across the country in the context of the town and village scheme and the rural regeneration fund.
For example, in Edgeworthstown in County Longford, a former public house was purchased under the buildings acquisition measure, costing €125,000. Under the 2023 town and village renewal scheme, an application has been received for €275,000 for the renovation of the building to allow it to be converted into a charity shop and social enterprise to provide a vital asset to the community, while supporting community projects.
There are loads of ideas out there. I want people in communities to engage with their local authority, to engage with their town centre first officer and put forward their proposals. They know best what they need for their areas.
Does Deputy Donnelly want to come back in?
No, it is fine.
