Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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20. 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. [8663/22]

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. Indeed, I am delighted with the interest shown in the most recent tranche of the scheme, with 191 project applications submitted from around the country.

In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the current scheme prioritises the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, with a view to bringing these buildings back into use. The scale of projects eligible under the scheme has also increased with funding of up to €500,000 now available.

The assessment of the applications made under the most recent tranche of the scheme is now being finalised and I expect to be in a position to announce the successful projects very shortly. I also expect that a large number of the successful projects will be those that address the issue of vacancy and dereliction.

I was delighted to secure increased funding across the range of rural development schemes in Budget 2022, and my officials are currently working on the follow up Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2022. 

While the details are still being finalised, there is no doubt that we will again be prioritising projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy in town centres.  I will be announcing the details of the 2022 scheme in the coming months.

I have also recently launched the new Town Centre First Policy, which includes a focus on vacancy and dereliction in towns.  This new policy will align with a range of funding sources such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the new Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund , the Rural Regeneration Development Fund, and the Urban Regeneration Development Fund.

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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21. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the engagements she has had with the organisations from County Tipperary that have requested feedback regarding unsuccessful applications for Tipperary town under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund category 2 as announced on 2 January 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8765/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland.  The Fund has, to date, allocated funding of €277 million for 191 projects across the country worth a total of €375 million.

The third call for Category 2 applications to the Fund closed on 30th July 2021. 53 applications were received.

The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature. The assessment of applications is undertaken by my Department under the oversight of the Project Advisory Board, which includes representatives from other Government Departments as well as independent experts.  Once that process is complete, my Department prepares a report setting out recommended projects and my role as Minister is to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding. On 6th January 2022, I announced that 27 projects had been successful under this call and approved €21.5m in development funding for the projects. Feedback from my officials to those who submitted applications is ongoing.

Amongst the unsuccessful applications was the Tipperary Town Revitalisation Phase I project submitted by Tipperary County Council.  I understand an official from my Department has engaged with officials from the council, and met with the council and Tipperary Town Task Force representatives to provide feedback on the aforementioned application.

I announced the fourth call for Category 1 applications in December 2021. An application form and guidance document is available on my Department’s website for those seeking further information. It is important that prospective applicants carefully consider the guidance issued as part of the call for applications to ensure that their proposal is in alignment with the stated focus of the call and the objectives of the Fund. My Department will also liaise with prospective applicants to provide further guidance as necessary.