Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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57. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she is taking to ensure that vacant buildings can be restored for use by community groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27625/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government recently published Town Centre First - A Policy Approach for Irish Towns.  This 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, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, the Croí Conaithe (Towns) Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme prioritises 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, and multi-purpose community spaces.  

I launched the 2022 Town and Village Renewal scheme on 27 May and the scheme prioritises 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, and multi-purpose community spaces.  I have also launched a new Building Acquisition Measure as part of the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme to support local authorities to purchase vacant and derelict buildings in 2022 for future development as community facilities.

Similarly, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund has now provided €278 million for 191 projects with an investment of some €376 million. The fourth call for Category 1 applications closed on 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 funding 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. 

I have also recently introduced a new capital fund of €15 million which will provide funding for the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres in both urban and rural areas. The focus of the Community Centre Investment Fund is to improve, refurbish and revitalise existing community centres.