Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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159. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government regarding the recently announced investment package for rural Ireland to increase the attractiveness of rural towns and villages as places to live and work, and to promote their position as local commercial and social centres, if he will provide details of the application process for same; if an island (details supplied) in County Cork may apply under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33475/15]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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On 23 September 2015, I was delighted to announce, with the Taoiseach and my colleague Minister Kelly, the new Town and Village Renewal Scheme. This scheme is part of a concerted effort to support the development of rural towns and villages, not only as a component of a broader approach to rural development but also to improve the environment of rural dwellers in a way that will increase their quality of life and simultaneously support potential economic activity in their area.

The scheme will be multi-annual in nature, commencing in 2016 and will have a budget of €30 million. The initiative will be channelled through the local authorities and details of the application process will be available over the coming weeks.