Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response, which is commendable. Certainly, the recent investment of over €4.5 million nationally to tackle dereliction and vacancy in rural Ireland, including three projects in Mayo, is a testament to this commitment. The projects in Charlestown, Bellacorick and Louisburgh, which involved the repurposing of old and derelict buildings for community use, will certainly breathe fresh air into these rural towns and villages. The diversity of buildings being revitalised - we had a former Garda station, a post office and a parish hall - leads to that.

The recruitment of town regeneration officers and vacant homes officers is crucial to activating the funding across the rural regeneration development fund, the building acquisition measure and the town and village renewal scheme, for the better local authorities and those that are in some way behind the curve. In Mayo County Council, we have one of the highest dereliction and vacancy rates across the country. These officers are crucial. I ask that they are made compulsory in the local authorities and supported. I would like to see the benefits of how we are repopulating our rural areas that may have struggled in recent years. Certainly in towns and villages I have visited, such as-----

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