Written answers
Thursday, 15 June 2023
Department of Rural and Community Development
Departmental Funding
Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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299. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development how much funding from her Department has been granted since 2016 to Kerry County Council in respect of a town (details supplied) in County Kerry; if she will provide the category, amount and purpose details of each grant; if she will clarify how much of each grant has been drawn down by Kerry County Council; the timescale involved for the drawdown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29011/23]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Details requested by the Deputy regarding funding provided by my Department, since its establishment in July 2017, to the organisation referred to by the deputy are outlined below:
| Programme/Scheme | Year | Amount | Purpose of grant | How much has been drawn down by Kerry Co Council | Timescale for each drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2017 | 2017 | €78,400 | Refurbishment of the Muintir na Tire Hall | €78,400 | Drawn down: €39,200 in 2017 €19,600 in 2018 €19,600 in 2019 |
| ORIS | 2017 | €86,210.10 | Milltown Heritage and Recreation Trail | €0 | Project was de-committed in 2019 |
| CLÁR | 2018 | €6,715 | Milltown First responders | €6,715 | Drawn down in 2018 |
| CEP | 2018 | €14,000 | Milltown Community & Chamber Alliance - Refurbishment of kitchen and meeting room | €14,000 | Drawn down in 2019 |
| Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2020 | 2020 | €94,500 | The enhancement of the historic square in the town centre. The production of a scoping study for an innovation space and business hub in the town | €0 | Project was decommitted in October 2022 |
| CLÁR | 2020 | €32,400 | Construct an outdoor socialising area with canopy and storage units with toilet facility | €32,391 | Drawn down in 2021 |
| CEP | 2020 | €1,000 | Milltown Community Council - Daily running costs | €1,000 | Drawn down in 2021 |
| CEP | 2020 | €3,000 | Milltown Community Council - To upgrade of the stage to be more suitable for drama groups, musical group and other cultural groups | €3,000 | Drawn down in 2021 |
| Town Centre First Master plan | 2021 | €100,000 | To complete a Town Centre First Plan in Milltown, Co. Kerry | €75,000 | Drawn down in 2021 Remaining draw down of €25,000 to be paid in 2023 |
| CEP | 2021 | €1,100 | 3rd Kerry Milltown Scout Group - Provide shelving and storage in community hall | €0 | Extension to June 2023 |
| CEP | 2021 | €2,000 | Callinafercy Rowing Club - Purchase of equipment, Maintenance of life jackets, Assist with electricity bills and club insurance | €2,000 | Drawn down in March 2023 |
| CEP | 2021 | €1,600 | Milltown Community Council - To assist in the payment of operational costs of the hall | €1,600 | Drawn down in 2022 |
| CEP | 2021 | €800 | Nagle Rice Community Centre - To assist in the payment of insurance costs | €0 | Extension to June 2023 |
Funding under the LEADER programme is not targeted at any particular group, sector or town. It is, rather, focused on a thematic approach to rural development under the headings of Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation; Social Inclusion; and the Rural Environment. The Department does not, therefore, capture details of the amount of funding approved specifically to Milltown under the LEADER programme.
Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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300. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will clarify how much of a grant from her Department (details supplied) has been drawn down by Kerry County Council; the timescale involved for the drawdown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29012/23]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Town Centre First Policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres.
The Town Centre First National Implementation Office was established last year and will be key to the success of the policy. The Office drives implementation at national level, supports the network of Town Regeneration Officers at a local level and coordinates stakeholder engagement. This structure has been put in place within the Local Government Management Association, and my officials are in ongoing contact with the National Office.
Central to the Town Centre First approach is the range of support funding in place, including my Department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
Additionally in December 2021 I announced the Town Centre First Plan Initiative where I selected 26 pilot towns, that had been nominated by local authorities, to receive €100,000 in funding to develop a Town Centre First Plan. In an effort to give life to this process and encourage an early start on the process I made an initial payment of 75% of this funding to local authorities.
I can confirm that Milltown in Kerry was selected as the first pilot town and received their initial tranche of funding in December 2021. The first phase of plans are due for completion at the end of June and my officials are continuing to engage with local authorities on this process. The remaining funding can be drawn down upon completion.
I remain committed to ensuring the success of the Town Centre First policy in delivering on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages as set out in Our Rural Future.
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