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

No. Next week, we will advertise for the position of the head of the national Town Centre First office. I am not sure where the office will be located, but I am sure a space is being organised for it somewhere. In a few weeks' time, we will ask local authorities to hire town regeneration officers. It is a good job with an attractive remuneration package.

We are putting these structures in place because we have many different Government schemes that are targeted at supporting our towns and villages.

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For example, in my Department there is the streetscape scheme, in addition to the town and village renewal scheme and the rural regeneration development fund. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has the repair and lease scheme, the urban regeneration fund and the Croí Cónaithe scheme, which will be announced shortly by the Minister. We want a joined-up and co-ordinated approach. We want a plan with local engagement and we want the town regeneration officer to engage with the local town teams, the local chamber of commerce, businesses and residents. This is very much the bottom-up approach. I want all the people working together because sometimes they are inclined to go off in different directions. We will get them working together. The town centre first regeneration officer will be the focal point in that regard.

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