Written answers

Thursday, 17 February 2022

Department of Rural and Community Development

Urban Development

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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30. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding available from her Department to address dereliction in rural towns and villages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8750/22]

Photo of Jennifer Murnane O'ConnorJennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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39. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way the town centre first policy will support towns across Ireland to restore derelict buildings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8762/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 39 together.

The Government recently published Town Centre First - A Policy Approach for Irish Towns.  This represents a whole of Government policy and  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 required to become viable, vibrant  and attractive places to live, work, and socialise.

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), the Croí Conaithe (Towns) Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

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. 

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. 

For 2021, I increased the maximum grant available through the Scheme, from €200k to €500k, which will enable Local Authorities to purchase derelict buildings and/or vacant sites in our towns and villages and bring them back into use.

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.

The RRDF has now provided €277 million for 191 projects with an investment of some  €375 million. The fourth call for Category 1 application is now open for  applications until the 29th April 2022.  Category One projects are those that have full planning and other consents in place and are ready to commence at the date of application.

This call has a strong focus on supporting projects that will assist in revitalising our rural towns and villages through planned, sustainable regeneration and development including addressing vacancy and the re-use of heritage and other existing buildings.

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