Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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451. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the work of the Action Plan for Rural Development specifically relating to the revitalisation of towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38636/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Action Plan for Rural Development includes a suite of measures for delivery across a range of Government Departments and agencies to support the revitalisation of rural towns and villages.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which is administered by my Department, is a key component of the Government's Action Plan. Over €31.6 million has been approved for more than 450 projects across the country since the scheme was introduced in the second half of 2016.

The 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched on 27th April. Local Authorities were required to seek expressions of interest from communities for proposals under the scheme and select up to 12 proposals for submission to my Department for consideration.

The closing date for submission of applications to my Department was 30th June 2018. Applications are currently being assessed and successful projects will be announced shortly.

It is anticipated that a further 200 projects will be supported under this year's scheme, with indicative funding of €15 million available. Projects will be expected to commence before the end of the year and will run for up to 18 months.

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.