Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The mission of the Department of Rural and Community Development is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. To this end, the Department has a number of funding schemes within which the purchase of land/buildings to be repurposed for community use may be eligible subject to scheme conditions.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), introduced in 2016, is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme over €156 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects across Ireland. The Scheme has supported towns and villages the length and breadth of the country.

In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, TVRS priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to support vibrant and attractive communities and to respond to changing needs and opportunities.

In 2022, in recognition of the urgent need to transform and regenerate town centres I introduced a new Building Acquisition Measure which enabled local authorities to immediately acquire derelict or vacant buildings, with the intention of using these projects for town regeneration purposes. Twenty nine properties were purchased utilising €6.1m funding in 2022. The Building Acquisition Measure continued in 2023 with a further 24 properties purchased utilising €4.6m in funding.

The 2023 main Town and Village Renewal scheme also has a renewed focus on town centre regeneration and enhancing economic and social vibrancy in line with the Town Centre First policy. This year it includes a new option of allowing local authorities to acquire plots of land to enable development of town regeneration, such as town parks, plazas, etc. I expect to announce the successful 2023 projects in the coming weeks.

Funding under the 2023-2027 LEADER programme, which is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) may also be available to support this type of activity. While LEADER funding would not support the purchase of land or buildings as a standalone project, the LEADER programme may provide grant aid not exceeding 10% of the overall project costs where the purchase of land or buildings formed part of a larger project.

In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the sub-regional area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme. Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available.

Finally, the 2023 Community Recognition Fund also provided funding for the purchase of buildings or land for the development of community facilities. I have been discussing the implementation of the Community Recognition Fund with Government colleagues, including the potential to introduce a second iteration of the scheme to further assist impacted communities. I expect to make an announcement in this regard shortly.