Written answers

Tuesday, 5 April 2022

Department of Rural and Community Development

Vacant Properties

Photo of Emer HigginsEmer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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112. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the financial support that has been made available to local authorities in order to bring vacant properties in town centres back into use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17941/22]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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963. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the detail of the financial support provided to local authorities to bring vacant properties in town centres back into use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18065/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 963 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.

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 (TVRS).

The 2021 TVRS prioritised the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, with a view to bringing these buildings back into use as remote working hubs, multi-purpose community spaces, and/or for residential occupancy.

While the details of the 2022 scheme 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 shortly.

The RRDF has now provided €278 million for 191 projects with an investment of some €376 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 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.

€50 million in funding is also available under tCroí Cónaithe fund to help service sites and refurbish properties in towns and villages.This scheme is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

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