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 making them more attractive places to live, work, and visit.

Since the introduction of the scheme in 2016 over €149 million has been allocated to more than 1,600 projects across Ireland. It has supported a range of activities from improving public realm areas to initiatives such as the development of enterprise hubs and remote working facilities.

Scheme priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year and in line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the 2022 scheme prioritised the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, with a view to bringing these buildings back into use.

It has been brought to my attention that there are delays in starting TVRS projects in former Garda Stations in Sligo/Leitrim as outlined by the Deputy. The TVRS Team in my Department have been engaging with the relevant local authority and Departments to try and find a solution to the issue, and will be in a position to provide appropriate extensions for these projects.

On 27 March I announced a €13m fund for the 2023 Building Acquisition Measure under TVRS which is again designed to tackle vacancy and dereliction in rural Ireland. This year the measure will provide an increased funding allocation of up to €500,000 to each local authority to purchase up to 3 vacant and derelict buildings for future development as community assets. The call for applications under this measure is now open and local authorities have until 28 April 2023 to submit applications.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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658. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when local authorities will be informed of the outcome of their applications for funding from the community recognition fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19157/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In January I launched the Community Recognition Fund which aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution being made by communities across the country in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.

The funding is specifically targeted at projects that are located in communities, towns and villages that are hosting the beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection applicants.

The Fund will support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community. It is separate in its objectives and scope to any other public funding streams which aim to support the development of public service needs arising from the significant number of arrivals from Ukraine.

The Community Recognition Fund is being administered at a local level by the relevant local authority. A funding proposal, comprising of projects selected and prioritised locally, was submitted to my Department by each local authority for final approval.

A key principle of the Fund was the need for local authorities to engage with impacted communities. The funding proposals submitted by each local authority were developed based on direct engagement with impacted communities and in consultation with the Municipal Districts, Local Community Development Committee and the local Community Response Fora.

I am happy to confirm that over 830 proposed projects are included in the funding proposals received from local authorities, with the full €50 million being applied for. I would like to thank all those who were involved in the consultations and the development of these proposals in communities all across Ireland. It was important to me that the projects were developed in consultation with communities so that the best value for money could be achieved in a way that ensures clear impacts and benefits for those communities.

The funding proposals are under consideration in the Department and I expect to make an announcement on them shortly as I am aware that local authorities and communities are anxious to commence work on projects. As part of that announcement all the successful projects will be published on my Department’s website.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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659. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 18 of 23 February 2023, if she will provide an update on the development of Caladh Mór on Inis Meáin; if her Department has received the draft business case to date; if she will provide details of any engagement between her Department and representatives of the island community on this matter to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19418/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands. A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department and Galway County Council meets regularly to monitor progress on the development of the piers on the Aran Islands, and held their most recent meeting last week.

It is my understanding that Galway County Council are preparing an updated draft business case and strategic assessment. This will be based on the findings and data from the model simulation carried out by the National Maritime College of Ireland, along with consideration of the various options.

As the Deputy is aware, the Public Spending Code sets out a number of important steps and decision gates in relation to projects such as this.

Once Galway County Council has completed this phase, the draft business case will be submitted to my Department for review in line with the Public Spending Code.

My officials are available to discuss this project with representatives from the island community.