Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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469. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the criteria for determining which 26 town centres would be enhanced by town centre first funding in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7303/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government recently published Town Centre First - A Policy Approach for Irish Towns. This publications represents a major new policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. It contains 33 actions which will give our towns the tools and resources they need to become more viable and attractive places in which to live, work, socialise run a business.

The policy is underpinned by significant levels of public investment spread across major Government schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), Croí Conaithe (Towns) Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

For the first time, designated towns will gain their own dedicated Town Regeneration Officers, who will be crucial to driving future development. I was delighted to secure additional funding for these posts in Budget 2022.

In the first phase of support, an initial tranche of funding was made available last year to support 26 towns to produce their own Town Centre First Plans. Local authorities were invited to nominate a prioritised list of towns. In approving the lists submitted, my Department considered issues such as identified need, the readiness of towns in question to deliver a Town Centre First Plan, and the need to ensure a sufficient spread in this first phase in terms of town size.

The local Town Team drawn from local community and business representatives will now work with local stakeholders to progress drafting of the plans and to identify challenges, actions and integrated responses across a number of themes (business/commercial; community/cultural; housing; built environment; heritage).

The delivery of this first phase of Town Centre First Plan funding will be a key building block for the success of the Town Centre First approach.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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470. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the possible funding streams that are available for a community group to apply to for a plaque (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7219/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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My Department provides a range of supports to communities and groups nationwide in both urban and rural areas, helping citizens to participate in the development of their communities and providing funding to improve facilities.

Administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) in each area, the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) provides funding to community groups and organisations across Ireland, with a focus on areas of disadvantage. It provides small capital grants to community groups to enhance facilities. Typical projects funded include the renovation of community centres, community amenities, disability access projects and purchase of equipment.

The 2021 CEP was launched in May with an allocation of €4.5m. While this fund is now closed it is hoped to run the programme again in 2022. I would advise the community group in question to contact the LCDC in their area to discuss the project they have in mind to see if it would be eligible under the programme.