Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The aim of the REDZ scheme is to support and develop the town centre and local retail economy, ameliorating the pressures businesses were experiencing following the recession, and to develop the concept of community leadership following the abolition of town councils. We want to work with local authorities and chambers of commerce as that is very important. We must work with business people. I have said before that a good chamber in a town makes a huge difference. We have asked them to set their priorities. They choose what they think will be of most benefit to their towns and submit their applications. Last year, we allocated €2 million and offered up to 50% of funding for submissions. It was broken down into a number of different categories. There were three flagship projects and a number of other projects nationally. The one in Castleblayney was very successful. It involved the improvement of signage into the town and the improvement of shop fronts. It was not a great deal of money for each shop owner but it certainly improved the appearance of the town. The project also got people together to look at broadband for a business park to see how that could be developed and brought along. Two weeks ago I launched another projected funded by REDZ in Tubbercurry. A company had vacated an old building, which the project then acquired. The local chamber played a huge role along with the local authority and Leader company. They came together and acquired the building which is now full of offices for start-up businesses. There are hot-desking facilities and high-speed broadband. Those are the types of projects which have been carried out and I would like to see us roll out something from that base as quickly as possible by inviting local authorities to go to the community to identify priorities and apply for funding.