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

The town and village renewal scheme very much has a bottom-up approach, as the Deputy knows. It is about working with the communities and local authorities to identify projects that will make a difference in their towns.

On vacant properties, I have the extra €2 million in the budget. That is to support the development of the master plans in about 50 towns and villages countrywide. It can be used to create the vision for the bigger projects. The Deputy will be very familiar with the Boyle regeneration project, for example. It has been allocated funding of €2.1 million from my Department's rural regeneration and development fund. Roscommon County Council partnered with the Boyle town team and Boyle Chamber of Commerce to deliver the Boyle regeneration project. It is a significant town regeneration project comprising a series of linked projects. It is part of the Boyle 2040 framework plan. Putting the plans in place gives one a vision to work to in order to make a difference for one's town.

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