Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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452. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details on a renovation scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33589/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development, which was launched on 23rd January, 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 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 also intended to launch the scheme referred to by the Deputy on a pilot basis 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.