Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, over €177 million has been allocated to almost 1,800 projects. The 2023 Scheme placed particular emphasis on projects that bring economic and social vibrancy to town centres in line with Government policies, and which will encourage more people into town and village centres to work, shop and socialise.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is administered through local authorities, who work closely with local communities and businesses to develop proposals that can make a lasting impact on rural towns and villages.

Funding under the Scheme is awarded on a competitive basis, with all applications assessed for suitability against scheme criteria and objectives. Successful projects under the 2023 Scheme were announced on 29 April 2024.

The project referred to did not qualify for funding under the 2023 TVRS as it was for the construction of a new build childcare facility. New build community spaces were listed under the ‘types of activities not supported’ within the Scheme Outline.

I intend to open a further iteration of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme later this year.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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669. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the community recognition fund 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20623/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.

Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects in providing support to cities, towns and villages nationwide that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries.

To further support communities, I announced a further €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund on March 15th last. The additional funding is specifically targeted at projects that are located in cities, towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants.

This allocation is being targeted at larger projects than in 2023, with a minimum of €50,000 per project, and will continue to support projects delivering a real and tangible benefit to communities. Applications under the current round of funding can be submitted by local authorities across three phases, so as to allow flexibility and adequate engagement and collaboration on larger projects. The first phase for applications from local authorities closes on 31st May.

Each local authority is required to have a dedicated space on their own website outlining the various ways communities can access Community Recognition Funding in that local authority area. Links to each of those dedicated spaces is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/e626a-community-recognition-fund-2023/