Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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700. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if street lighting needed in a village will be considered for funding under the village and town renewal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19515/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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On 13 April, I launched an enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2017 as part of the Action Plan for Rural Development. This scheme will see €20 million in funding being invested in towns and villages across rural Ireland over the next 15 months. The scheme is targeted at rural towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000 people. Projects which have clear positive economic impacts on the town/village or which stimulate economic activity between a town/village and its neighbouring townlands will be particularly welcome, as will projects which demonstrate leveraging of, or linkages with, other schemes operated by Government Departments or agencies (e.g. in the areas of heritage, arts, culture, tourism, tidy towns, recreational facilities, re-use of vacant premises, vacant sites, energy efficiency schemes, etc.).

The objective of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is to add value over and above any works which Local Authorities might carry out as part of their regular service. Improved street lighting for a village would not necessarily be excluded from the scheme, but I would expect that any such measure would be part of a wider proposal to support the rejuvenation of the village.