Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1561. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which he plans to develop the town and village renewal scheme in order to improve and enhance the standard of living for persons in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2046/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Revitalising our rural towns and villages is a key objective of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development. The Action Plan 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.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched in 2016 and provided €10 million that year through the former Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to support 170 projects throughout the country.

Building on the 2016 scheme, an enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched in 2017, with a focus on projects which could stimulate and encourage economic activity in our towns and villages. Following a competitive process, in October 2017 I announced the allocation of €21.6 million to 281 projects in towns and villages across rural Ireland. These projects cover many initiatives which will support economic development and employment creation, including through the establishment of enterprise centres and digital hubs.

I plan to launch another round of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2018, with a continued focus on projects that can make the best impact on supporting local economies and job creation, and improving the quality of life for people who live in rural towns, villages and their surrounding areas.