Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. I certainly want to thank her for this week's announcement. In her reply she mentioned vacancy and dereliction and how the Government is prioritising the scourge this represents in many communities, towns and villages. It is important to note the amount of funding - €149 million - going in to support these types of projects. That demonstrates the Government's commitment to addressing this. I welcome the funding for villages such as Balla, which has received €120,000 for the redevelopment of its courthouse building. That will provide an enormous benefit to the locality as a community and enterprise hub. Projects like this will brings jobs into rural towns like Balla, which is very welcome. I hope we can continue to bring this funding into rural communities and villages.

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