Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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226. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the Town Centre First Initiative; and when he envisages making an announcement in this regard. [58308/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government (PFG) committed to the development of a Town Centre First (TCF) policy. With a view to giving effect to this commitment and the actions outlined in the PFG, a TCF Inter-Departmental Group (IDG) was established in November 2020 to consider the regeneration of our towns and villages. The IDG is jointly chaired by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD). The IDG has met five times since its inaugural meeting in November.

In parallel with the IDG, a Town Centre First Advisory Group was also established to enable the experiences of a broader group of stakeholders to be brought to bear in informing the process of policy development, and to support the work of the IDG. The Group, which I chair, comprises individual representatives from a broad range of sectors to ensure effective and diverse representation with the capacity and experience to contribute in a meaningful way to the preparation and implementation of a practical TCF framework. The work of the Advisory Group has been advanced primarily through written submissions and bi-lateral meetings with the Co-chairs of the IDG and also the chairs of three IDG working groups that were also established to further inform and underpin the work of the Advisory Group and the IDG.

Following the initial development stages through the forum of the IDG and Advisory Group, both my and Minister Humphrey's Departments have collaborated in progressing a draft policy. Following a meeting of the Inter-Departmental Group on November 22, 2021, this document is currently being finalised for publication. I expect the TCF policy to be brought to Cabinet in the coming weeks and to be announced prior to the end of 2021.