Dáil debates

Wednesday, 23 June 2021

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

 

12:52 pm

Photo of Brian LeddinBrian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I want to address the issue of vacancy in our towns and villages. The previous encouragement over many decades of one-off housing has undermined retail in our towns and villages as once people are in their cars, many choose to visit out-of-town retailers near the large urban centres. The Government has taken a progressive approach to rural development. The promised legislation I wish to ask the Taoiseach about is the commitment in Our Rural Future to examine the feasibility of introducing what is called “meanwhile use” legislation, so that empty buildings and shopfronts on main streets can be brought back into compatible use on a short-term, temporary basis as pop-up shops, street markets and exhibition spaces, or for other purposes in accordance with the "Putting Town Centres First" policies. This could be a welcome measure to bring vitality back to our towns and villages.

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