Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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79. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she has made contact with the various local authorities with a view to identifying projects to upgrade the facilities in various towns and villages with a view to enhancement of the locations both economically and visually; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27591/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development, which was launched on 23^rdJanuary last, contains a number of measures which have the objective of rejuvenating Ireland’s rural towns and villages to make them more attractive places in which to live and work, and to increase their tourism potential. From my own Department’s perspective, I launched the 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme on 13th April last, with a focus on improving the economic development of our rural towns and villages. Funding of €20 million has been made available under the scheme, which will support up to 300 towns and villages over the next 12 months.  The scheme will be delivered through the Local Authorities.

All Local Authorities were invited to the launch of the scheme in Moate, Co. Westmeath in April. They were also invited to attend an information session with staff of my Department directly after the launch, where the scheme details were outlined and any questions relating to the operation of the scheme were addressed. Three further information sessions were held in Sligo, Tullamore and Thurles, and Local Authorities and other stakeholders were invited to attend.

The closing date for receipt of applications under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is 30^thJune 2017. It is envisaged that the successful applicants will be announced before the end of July.

There is also ongoing contact between Local Authorities and my Department in relation to other rural schemes under my Department’s remit, including CLÁR and the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure scheme. My officials are available at all times to provide guidance to Local Authorities with regard to applications and to assist with any queries arising.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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80. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress that has been made on the initiative to encourage increased residential occupancy in town and village centres as outlined in the action plan for rural development, by county; when the initiative is expected to commence; the funding made available for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27614/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development, which was launched on 23^rdJanuary, contains a number of measures which have the objective of rejuvenating Ireland’s rural towns and villages to make them more attractive places in which to live and work, and to increase their tourism potential. I launched an enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme on 13th April last, with a focus on improving the economic development of our rural towns and villages. Funding of €20 million has been made available under the scheme, which will support up to 300 towns and villages over the next 12 months.

It is intended to separately launch a pilot scheme later this year to encourage residential occupancy in rural towns and villages. The pilot will examine ways in which properties that are currently not in use in town centres can be renovated to allow them to be used for residential purposes. The scheme will be aimed at owner-occupiers.

Details of the initiative are being developed in consultation with relevant Departments and full particulars will be announced when the pilot is launched. I expect to make initial funding of €2 million available for the scheme in 2017. Funding will not be allocated on a county basis under this initiative.