Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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450. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if funding will be made available for a group (details supplied) to source administrative staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63006/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Supporting the development and growth of towns and villages across Ireland is a major priority for this Government and to this end policy interventions are being pursued across a number of Government Departments and are being implemented by local authorities around the country.

I am committed to the regeneration of our towns and a package of measures to support the revitalisation of Tipperary Town was put in place by my Department in 2019 following extensive engagement with local stakeholders and representatives. These measures, over a 3 year period, will facilitate a partnership approach between the local community, Tipperary County Council and other key stakeholders in order to develop and deliver an action plan for the town.

My Department is providing funds to a suite of actions to support this project, including €20,000 to the Heritage Council for a Collaborative Town Center Health Check for Tipperary Town.  The Town Center Health Check provided a baseline analysis from a commercial, heritage and tourism perspective on which a draft action plan has been developed. 

A project manager for Tipperary Town Task Force was also successfully recruited by Tipperary County Council last year with my Department providing a once of payment of €100,000 to co-fund this position for a 3-year contract period.

My Department also supports the operation of the Tipperary Town General Municipal Fund over this 3-year period and has provided €60,000 to the fund to date with matching funding having been provided by Tipperary County Council. 

Community interaction and engagement in this project is essential. It is very encouraging to see the level of local commitment to the rejuvenation of Tipperary Town to date and I am a excited to see what can be achieved from the initiatives and interventions outlined in the draft Strategy and Action Plan.