Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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9. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the Streetscape Enhancement Initiative for Ballyconnell, County Cavan. [9231/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Streetscape Enhancement Measure was introduced in 2021 as part of the commitment under Our Rural Future, Ireland's rural development policy.

The Measure is delivered under the umbrella of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and aims to improve the visual appearance of our urban streetscapes, which will bring about growth and increase confidence in our towns and villages. In line with the Government's Town Centre First Policy, such investment will help make rural towns across the country more attractive places in which to live, work or visit.

Under the 2022 Streetscape Enhancement Measure €2.6 million was made available to improve the visual appearance of our urban streetscapes. In County Cavan, Ballyconnell was selected by Cavan County Council to benefit from this funding.

Cavan County Council was allocated €100,000 to transform the visual appearance of 35 premises within the town of Ballyconnell. Works to be carried out include green enhancements, painting and murals, and the replacement of signage, canopies and lighting.

Cavan County Council have until 31 August 2023 to have these works completed.

More generally under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, I was delighted last December to confirm details of a funding packing €27 million across the various strands of the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. This brought the total funding under the 2022 Scheme to €28.5 million, which represented the largest investment under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme to date, and included a range of projects across County Cavan.

I am committed to ensuring that the range of capital investment schemes operated by my Department will continue to support the revitalisation of rural towns and villages across the country.