Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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109. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the town and village renewal scheme; when applications from counties Carlow and Kilkenny can be submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38590/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched on 27th April last.  The scheme is funded by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities.

Under the scheme, Local Authorities were required to seek expressions of interest from communities for project proposals and were invited to select up to 12 proposals for submission to my Department for consideration.  The closing date for submission of applications to the Department was 30th June 2018.  

My Department received 290 applications in total under the scheme, including 12 applications from Carlow County Council and 7 applications from Kilkenny County Council.

My officials are currently assessing all applications received and it is anticipated that the successful projects will be announced shortly. Projects will be expected to commence by the end of the year and to be completed within a period of up to 18 months.

Over €31.6 million has been approved for more than 450 projects across the country under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme since it was introduced in the second half of 2016. It is anticipated that a further 200 projects will be supported under this year's scheme, with indicative funding of €15 million available.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is an important part of the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development.  The Government’s commitment to supporting rural Ireland is further underscored through the new €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund which was launched recently.  This new Fund will provide an opportunity to deliver more integrated and ambitious projects which will further support the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages in the coming years.