John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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199. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will confirm the reason there has been a reduction in the funding allocated for a Town Centre First Master Plan in County Kerry (details supplied); if he will confirm the amount drawn down to date by Kerry County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26370/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Funding was awarded in December 2021 to 26 towns to draft and complete Town Centre First (TCF) Town Plans. These towns were nominated by local authorities and Kerry County Council nominated Milltown.

The agreed delivery timeframe for completion of these Town Plans was within 12 to 18 months of the announcement of the Minister. A condition attached to the €100,000 funding awarded per local authority was that it would be drawn down within this time period and on completion of each TCF Plan.

Kerry County Council received €75,000 in an advanced payment as a contribution to the TCF Plan. As the plan was not completed within the committed timeframe (which was extended), the balance of €25,000 was de-committed. The funding paid of €75,000 remained with the local authority, to enable the work on completion of the plan to continue.

My most recent information is that a draft plan for Milltown has now been published by Kerry County Council and is out for public consultation until 13 June. All other Town Plans under Phase 1 have been completed and are available to view on the Town Centre First website at the following link: .

A further 26 towns were awarded funding under the 2024 TCF Suite of Supports to develop Town Plans under Phase 2. These projects are ongoing and due to be completed later this year. Further details on the TCF policy and TCF projects awarded funding are available to view on Gov.ie at the following link: .