Written answers

Tuesday, 24 October 2017

Department of Rural and Community Development

Rural Resettlement Scheme

Photo of Tony McLoughlinTony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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377. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to introduce as a pilot scheme a new rural resettlement office in north County Leitrim which would act as a point of contact for all persons looking to resettle in this part of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44574/17]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government has committed to the revitalisation and rebuilding of rural areas. Equally the Government’s housing strategy, Rebuilding Ireland: An Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, includes a range of measures support of the regeneration and renewal of towns and villages across rural Ireland.

Grant assistance was provided to Rural Resettlement Ireland until 2012 by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. My colleague Minister Murphy has a range of initiatives underway to support the acceleration of social housing, the building of new houses and the better utilisation of existing housing across all local authority areas.

In my own area, I am supporting and incentivising town, village and rural renewal.  Specifically, my officials are examining the potential to develop a pilot scheme to encourage residential occupancy in rural towns and villages. This will consider ways in which properties that are currently not in use in town centres can be renovated to a allow them to be sued for residential purposes. This will help to rejuvenate town centres while also helping to contribute to the housing needs of individuals.

I am committed to working with Minister Murphy on ensuring that the Town and Village pilot scheme meets our dual objectives and provides those who want to live in a rural area have that choice, especially if they are on the social housing list.

I have no plans to introduce as a pilot scheme a new rural resettlement office in north Country Leitrim.

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