Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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1716. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the projects funded under the town and village scheme, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37281/17]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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1717. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications received under the town and village renewal scheme; the amount of funding sought; the number that received funding for 2016, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37282/17]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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1749. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation to the town and village renewal scheme each year since it has been established; and the amount of funding sought by local authorities under the scheme. [38419/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1716, 1717 and 1749 together.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched in August 2016 as part of the Government’s programme to support rural development. A budget of €10 million was made available for the scheme in 2016 and, from this budget, a sum of €380,000 was made available to each of the 26 counties.

Local Authorities, in conjunction with local communities and businesses, were invited to submit up to 8 proposals each from within that allocation, for approval.  A total of 170 projects were approved in 2016 and the table below shows the number of projects funded on a county basis.  A listing of all successful projects in 2016 can be found on my Department's website at .

An enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched on 13th April this year, with a focus on improving the economic development of our rural towns and villages. It is envisaged that €20 million in funding will be invested in supporting projects in up to 300 towns and villages over the next 12 months.  

Selection of projects will be by means of a competitive process.  Local Authorities were asked to consult with community and business interests in towns and villages in their areas and to submit up to 15 proposals for consideration by my Department.

The assessment process in respect of the 2017 scheme is nearing completion and I hope to be in a position to announce the successful projects shortly.

Table 1 - Town & Village Renewal Scheme 2016:

Number projects approved by county