Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

37. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the purchasing of vacant and derelict properties for future development as community assets by Cork City Council and Cork County Council under the building acquisition measure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9256/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages across Ireland in line with the objectives contained in Our Rural Future, Ireland's Rural Development Policy, and the Town Centre First policy. The 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme (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 (BAM) 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.

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. Cork County Council propose to redevelop this building 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.

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 City Council applied for funding for purchase of a building in Carrigaline under this measure. The TVRS scheme primarily provides funding for towns and villages with populations up to 10,000 people. As the population of Carrigaline is in excess of 15,000 people, the application was deemed ineligible under this measure.