Written answers

Thursday, 27 October 2022

Department of Rural and Community Development

Derelict Sites

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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112. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will establish a grant scheme towards the renovation of derelict rural properties for the purposes of providing tourism accommodation. [53598/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department implements a number of schemes which can address the issue raised by the Deputy.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is one of a series of national and local support measures designed to rejuvenate small rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The Scheme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 as part of Our Rural Future.

The 2022 Scheme placed particular emphasis on projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings and sites back into use as multipurpose community spaces. Priority A2 projects for 2022 seek regeneration projects that assist in revitalising our rural towns and villages, in line with the Town Center First Policy, through planned and sustainable regeneration and development projects that will drive greater economic activity and footfall, address vacancy and dereliction and ensure the re-use of heritage and other existing buildings.

Also in recognition of the urgent need to transform and regenerate town centres a new Building Acquisition Measure was introduced in 2022 to immediately acquire derelict or vacant buildings, with the intention of using these projects for town regeneration purposes.

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund also provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature and applications can be made by State-funded bodies, such as Local Authorities, State agencies and Local Development Companies etc. Lead parties seeking funding follow published application guidelines and it would be open to one of the aforementioned bodies to put forward an investment case for the renovation of derelict buildings for tourism accommodation as part of an application to the Fund. Proposals should be in alignment with the stated focus of the particular call and the objectives of the Fund. The resources of the Fund remain focused upon projects which have the greatest potential for transforming rural communities and have no other obvious Government/other funding mechanisms available to them.

Funding may also be available through the LEADER Programme for the type of project referred to by the Deputy. LEADER is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) around the country. Support under the LEADER programme is provided under a broad range of themes, including Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation. This theme focuses on driving continued local economic development, including diversification of the rural economy, and the creation of employment opportunities for the local community. In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.

Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The list of all Local Action Groups, their Implementing Partners and their contact details, is available on the Gov.ie website.

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