Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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59. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the 2018 town and village renewal scheme; when it will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8738/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Action Plan for Rural Development 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 focuses on projects which could stimulate and encourage economic activity in our rural 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.

Under Budget 2018 I secured a funding allocation of €15M for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and officials are currently reviewing the scheme criteria with a view to launching the 2018 scheme during April. The deputy should note that I recently wrote to all Local Authorities advising them of an indicative schedule of scheme launch dates in respect of the Local Improvement, CLÁR, Town and Village Renewal and the Rural Recreation schemes.