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

As I said, in fairness to local authorities, many different demands are being made of them. Many funding opportunities are available for schemes, whether it is the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and the Media's scheme for outdoor dining, the Minister for Transport's schemes for cycling and walking infrastructure or schemes from my own Department in town and village renewal, and rural regeneration. Of course, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has more schemes that are run through the local authorities.

Instead of following this ad hocapproach, the town centre officer can co-ordinate the different schemes and drive them forward. They can identify the best source of funding, which may perhaps include a mix of a number of different funding streams, to achieve their objectives and revitalise town centres. We have a great opportunity to do it. If Covid-19 has taught us one thing, it is to think outside the box. When we work together we get better results. I plan to support the local authorities in appointing a town centre officer. I hope it progresses very quickly.

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