Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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108. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if it is intended to reintroduce town councils to assist with the town centre first policy. [17865/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government recently published Town Centre First - A Policy Approach for Irish Towns. This publication represents a major new policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres.

The policy 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 and run a business. It will support Town Teams to develop their own Town Centre First (TCF) Plans

The TCF Plans will be developed collaboratively with local Town Teams involving community and business groups, as well as public and private stakeholders. There is no recommendation in the Town Centre First Policy as regards town councils, although local public representatives will have an important role in the process as part of the Town Teams, and through their role in directing the work of the local authorities.

The TCF Plans will cover the importance of “place-making”, town centre living, and the social and economic purpose of the town. They should respond to emerging opportunities such as those linked to remote working, climate action and digitalisation. The plans will also be central to addressing vacancy and dereliction.

The new policy refers to the provision of Town Regeneration Officers (TROs). TROs will be appointed in local authorities to drive the implementation of TCF and will be crucial to managing the implementation of the policy at a local level and ensuring the development and implementation of TCF plans.

I was delighted to secure additional funding for of €2 million for these posts in Budget 2022. As a result, it is envisaged that a TRO will be appointed in local authority areas across the country.