David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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671. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason that voluntary organisations and community groups are only eligible for funding under category 1 of the Community Centres Investment Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2753/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Voluntary organisations and community groups were eligible to apply for funding under Categories 1, 2 or 3 of the 2022 Community Centres Investment Fund.

- Category 1 - grants up to €25,000

- Category 2 - grants between €25,001 and €100,000

- Category 3 - grants between €100,001 and €300,000

Under Categories 2 and 3, in order to ensure appropriate accountability for public funding, organisations were required to have a legal status in Ireland or to be a registered charity.

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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672. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department is considering reopening the streetscape and shopfront enhancement projects under a future town and village programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2974/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is part of a range of measures to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland. The Scheme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 as part of Our Rural Future and is administered on behalf of my Department by the local authorities.

The Streetscape Enhancement Measure is an element of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and is providing grants to retailers and property owners in order to improve the facades of their buildings, carry out artwork or install features such as street furniture or canopies. The overall purpose of the Measure is to give our towns and villages a facelift and make them more attractive places to live, work or visit.

In August 2022, I announced the 26 towns and villages that will benefit from a €2.6 million fund to support the enhancement of streetscapes and shopfronts. The selected towns and villages are receiving funding of up to €100,000. The list of approved projects is available on my Department's website.

The Measures and funding provisions to be included in the Town and Village Renewal Scheme are reviewed each year and will be reviewed again in advance of the next launch of the Scheme.