Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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381. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding for the village renewal scheme is to be increased in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31889/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for a Partnership Government recognises the importance of developing rural towns and villages as part of its drive to revitalise rural Ireland.

On 9 August this year, I launched the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with an allocation of €10 million for this year. Local Authorities, in conjunction with local communities and businesses, were each invited to submit up to 8 proposals to my Department by the end of September for approval.

A total of 172 applications were received under the scheme and my officials are currently assessing these applications. The assessments will be completed by the end of October and expenditure on the successful projects will commence shortly thereafter.

I have secured increased funding of €12 million for an enhanced Town and Village Renewal scheme as part of Budget 2017. This represents a trebling of the original 2016 baseline allocation of €4 million for the scheme. Under the 2017 scheme, I intend to run a pilot to encourage increased residential occupancy in town and village centres. Details of this scheme are being prepared by my officials.