Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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649. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the programme for Government commitment for an expanded town and village renewal scheme to bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy; when communities can start applying for this funding; and the estimated amount available to each local authority. [62827/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Town and Village Renewal Scheme aims to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work, and visit.

This year, in line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the scheme has prioritised the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres to bring them back into use as multipurpose spaces, remote working hubs or as residential accommodation. I also increased the maximum grant available under the Scheme to €500,000 to permit projects of additional scale to be funded.

The 2021 Scheme closed for applications on 16th July. The applications have undergone a formal assessment process and I expect to announce the successful projects shortly.