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. It supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing and development.

The Town Centre First National Office is key to the success of the policy. It supports Town Regeneration Officers, funded by my Department in all eligible local authorities, in driving implementation at a local level. My Department collaborates closely with the National Town Centre Office as well as TROs and local authority officials and Town Teams.

Amongst the initiatives supported by my Department under TCF is the development of TCF Plans which help rural towns develop a vision for their local areas and identify viable projects to realise this vision. The pilot programme consisted of 26 plans, all of which are now complete. I am currently developing further support under the TCF policy, which I expect to announce shortly.

My Department is also providing a range of funding to support TCF such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. I announced the fifth RRDF Category 1 call for applications last November, with a focus on revitalising our rural towns and villages through planned and sustainable regeneration projects that will drive greater economic activity and footfall, address vacancy and dereliction and ensure the re-use of heritage and other existing buildings. The closing date for applications is Thursday 8th February 2024, and I would encourage all local authorities to consider submitting applications to my Department.

Under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, in July 2023 I announced funding of €15 million for the scheme which is designed to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland. Applications are now undergoing the competitive assessment process and I look forward to announcing the successful projects by the end of Quarter 1 this year.

My Department remains committed to the success of the Town Centre First policy to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages as set out in Our Rural Future.