Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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14. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the town and village renewal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62737/22]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We had some very positive news this week on the town and village renewal scheme. I ask the Minister to provide the House an update on the scheme and the announcement.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The town and village renewal scheme aims to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work and visit. In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the 2022 scheme prioritised the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres with a view to bringing them back into use. Since it was first introduced in 2016 over €149 million has been allocated to more than 1,600 projects across Ireland. It has supported a range of activities, from improving public realm areas to initiatives such as the development of enterprise hubs and remote working facilities. These projects have been identified and developed by local community groups and businesses in conjunction with their local authorities.

Each year the priorities for the scheme are reviewed and revised as appropriate by my Department. This year priority was given to projects that brought vacant and derelict buildings and sites back into use as multipurpose spaces to make our town and village centres more vibrant and attractive places to live and work. I was delighted to announce details of allocations worth €27 million under the scheme yesterday. This incorporates a wide range of locally-driven projects that will breathe new life into towns and villages across rural Ireland. Full details of all the approved projects are available on my Department's website.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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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.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. I was delighted to visit Balla. The Deputy brought me there and I saw exactly what people are trying to do with the redevelopment of that space. That is what the town and village renewal scheme is about. As I continue to say, it is about engaging with communities and helping them realise their vision for their areas. It is the ground-up approach that makes the difference because the people in Balla know exactly what they want. They are volunteers. I met them and we had a lovely chat. They have done so much there and the refurbishment of this old building will make such a difference to their plans for the town.

I was pleased to make that announcement. I know the Deputy is keen that that project, among a number of others in Mayo, such the €100,000 for the market square enhancement in Claremorris, be supported. As a local Deputy, he knows the benefit this sort of investment brings to our towns and villages.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for her response and thank her for visiting Mayo a number of weeks ago. It was a very positive visit in terms of the work that is happening on the ground with community organisations and the local authority in addressing dereliction and vacancy and bringing new life back into rural communities. There was another huge announcement in Belmullet, with more than €500,000 for the redevelopment of Canal House. Community parks are also central so people can have amenities on their doorstep when they want access to them. The Department has certainly stepped up in this area by providing the platform for communities to access essential funding that will enhance their quality of life, and bring people back living, working and enjoying that quality of life in rural areas. I compliment the Minister and the work she has done over the last number of months and years on this. I look forward to hopefully working her on this in the new year.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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It is important that this investment continues. It has been very successful in 2022. I will be considering its continuation in 2023 but no decisions will be made until the priorities for 2023 are decided on. The building acquisition measure has helped many towns across the country. We need to move with the times. Times are changing. These buildings are no longer being used for their original purpose, which means we can repurpose them for 21st-century use. We need to embrace new technology, IT and all the opportunities they present us. We are absolutely committed to remote working and facilitating enterprise creation in towns and villages because it brings the footfall back in. It means there are more people there and that is what brings economic activity.