Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 342: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the next urban and village renewal scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8454/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the Urban and Village Renewal measures of the two Regional Operational Programmes 2000-2006, grant assistance was provided to local authorities for a range of interventions to upgrade the fabric of the built environment in cities, towns and villages. Final funding allocations under this Programme, involved total EU and Exchequer co-financed expenditure of over €158m, and were completed in early 2008.

Given the necessity to reprioritise expenditure for 2009 the Urban Regeneration Programme for the period to 2013 has been deferred. Any decision on the implementation of the Programme will be made as part of the estimates/budgetary processes.

A separate village grant scheme under the Rural Development Programme which is the responsibility of the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, is currently underway.