Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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31. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of funding to develop master plans to revitalise town centres and encourage more persons to live in town centres announced in budget 2021 including the timelines for roll-outs and the means by which areas will be prioritised. [34170/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In October 2018, my Department launched a Town Centre Living Initiative to explore in a holistic way how to encourage increased residential occupancy in rural towns and villages. The pilot focused on 6 towns with different characteristics in different parts of the country.

An independent report on the pilot Town Centre Living Initiative was published on 22nd June 2020. The report outlines the approach taken by each town under the pilot and sets out the key issues identified to encourage increased town centre living and the repurposing of vacant properties for residential purposes.

The report, which is available on the Gov.ie website, highlights the multiplicity of factors that need to be addressed to encourage town centre living. These issues cut across a number of Government Departments and agencies.

The report also highlights the importance of Local Authorities consulting with local communities and property owners on town centre development proposals and the value of developing a shared vision or master plan for the town.

In this context, I have secured €2 million extra in Budget 2021 to support up to 50 towns to develop master plans of this nature. My Department is currently formulating the operational details of this initiative and full details will be announced in the New Year.