James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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48. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the building acquisition measure for a property (details supplied) in Mitchelstown. [9272/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland in line with Ireland's rural development policy Our Rural Future and in support of the objectives of the Town Centre First Policy.

The 2022 TVRS prioritised projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy in town centres. In recognition of the urgent need to transform and regenerate town centres I introduced a new Building Acquisition Measure under the 2022 Scheme to support local authorities to immediately acquire derelict or vacant buildings, with the intention of using these projects for town regeneration purposes in line with the aims of TVRS.

Properties purchased under the Building Acquisition Measure must form the basis of an application under a future TVRS call or be developed for town regeneration purposes via the local authorities' own resources or another funding stream by the end of 2024.

Cork County Council were approved funding under this measure to purchase the FCA Hall on the grounds of old Military barracks in Mitchelstown, Co Cork. The application detailed that the proposed usage of the building is to redevelop it for use as a multi-purpose venue for sports activities and organisations: hub for men's shed, indoor training for boxing club, cycling, girl guides, walking amenity / outdoor gym, etc. All funding in relation to this project was drawn down by the end of 2022, in line with the requirements of the Building Acquisition Measure.