Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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77. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the impact she expects the funding for the action plan for rural development will have in the 300 towns and villages earmarked for this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27566/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched on 13 ^thApril last. The scheme will see €20 million being invested in rural towns and villages over the next 12 months as part of the Action Plan for Rural Development.

Up to 300 towns and villages will benefit under the scheme, which is targeted at towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000. At least 60% of the funding will be available for towns and villages with a population of less than 5,000 people.

The 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme places a particular emphasis on supporting measures which will have a clear economic impact on rural towns and villages. Projects which demonstrate linkages with other initiatives in areas such as heritage, tourism, arts, culture, the re-use of vacant premises, or business improvement schemes to increase the overall impact on town and village rejuvenation are strongly encouraged. Applications are welcome from projects which stimulate economic activity between a town and its neighbouring townlands.

Grants will range from €20,000 to a maximum of €100,000. Funding of up to €200,000 will also be considered for a limited number of projects which can deliver exceptionally strong economic benefit to a town and/or its outlying areas.

I anticipate that successful applications under the Scheme will demonstrate clear and measureable economic impacts on the towns and villages in which they are implemented. Investing in our towns and villages and strengthening their economic activity and tourism offering will help to retain existing employment and create new jobs. It will make rural Ireland a better place in which to live, work and visit.

The closing date for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is 30 ^thJune and it is anticipated that the successful applicants will be announced before the end of July.