Written answers
Tuesday, 30 January 2024
Department of Rural and Community Development
Departmental Policies
Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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108. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development whether the Town Centre First initiative has succeeded in the pilot stage of one per county; if she will indicate the main areas of transformation; and if she will outline her plans over the next five years to extend the initiative. [4014/24]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Town Centre First (TCF) Policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. The policy supports the development of TCF plans, through which local communities and businesses reimagine their towns and develop a vision for the future of their towns.
In December 2021, I announced funding to support the development of these plans and allocated €100,000 to each eligible local authority. The towns selected to complete these plans are:
| County | Town |
|---|---|
| Carlow | Tullow |
| Cavan | Bailieborough |
| Clare | Sixmilebridge |
| Cork | Skibbereen |
| Donegal | Milford |
| Fingal | Lusk |
| Galway | Gort |
| Kerry | Milltown |
| Kildare | Clane |
| Kilkenny | Urlingford |
| Laois | Rathdowney |
| Leitrim | Carrick On Shannon |
| Limerick | Abbeyfeale |
| Longford | Longford Town |
| Louth | Dunleer |
| Mayo | Killala |
| Meath | Enfield |
| Monaghan | Carrickmacross |
| Offaly | Clara |
| Roscommon | Strokestown |
| Sligo | Tubbercurry |
| Tipperary | Roscrea |
| Waterford | Portlaw |
| Westmeath | Moate |
| Wexford | New Ross |
| Wicklow | Blessington |
All 26 supported plans under this pilot initiative have now been completed.
Each plan is bespoke to the town, was developed in a bottom-up manner, and identifies specific opportunities, challenges and project interventions to regenerate the town. The main areas for the transformation of rural communities are in the areas of tackling dereliction and vacancy, promoting town-centre living, maintaining a strong local economy, creating high-value job opportunities and promoting compact growth.
Local authorities, through the Town Regeneration Officers (funded by my Department), have worked closely with local community groups, retailers and the other members of the Town Teams in devising and delivering on the plans.
Rural communities are already starting to see the benefits of these plans, as identified projects have applied for funding through my Department’s funding streams, including the 2023 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, to create vibrant town centres. In July last year, I announced funding of €15 million for this year’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme. A competitive assessment process is currently underway and I intend to announce the successful projects by the end of Quarter 1 this year.
I expect we will see TCF Plan projects also coming through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund Category 1 Call which is currently open for applications. The closing date for applications is 12pm on Thursday 8th February 2024.
I must stress however, that central to the success of Town Centre First is the range of support funding in place right across Government.
My Department officials are also currently considering options to implement further TCF supports. I expect to announce these further supports shortly.
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