Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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87. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way her Department is addressing the issue of derelict and vacant properties in rural towns and villages; if she will provide additional information on the town regeneration officers announced as part of Budget 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60225/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The revitalisation of vacant and derelict properties is being addressed by a number of initiatives delivered by my Department in line with the commitments contained in Our Rural Future and as part of the Government's Housing for All.

In April, I announced investment of €81 million for 25 landmark projects under Category 1 of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. These projects will combat dereliction, increase the vibrancy of rural towns and villages and regenerate town centre buildings.

I have also announced funding of €15 million that is available under the 2021 Town & Village Renewal Scheme. A key focus of this year’s scheme is to renovate derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, including for residential living. I have increased the maximum grant available under the Scheme to €500,000 to permit projects of additional scale to be funded. I expect to announce the successful projects shortly.

There are a range of other initiatives outlined in Our Rural Future which will contribute to addressing vacancy in our towns and villages, including the development of a Town Centre First Policy.

The new Town Centre First Policy will be an important catalyst for Local Authorities and local stakeholders to plan for the revitalisation of their towns, and particularly to explore new and alternative uses for vacant and derelict properties in town centres.

The engagement of Town Regeneration Officers by the Local Authorities will also be a key component of the forthcoming Town Centre First Policy. Details in this regard will be provided after the launch of the Town Centre First Policy, which I expect to happen shortly.