Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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96. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on plans to acquire buildings of national importance in Galway east specifically (details supplied); and if he will be supporting Galway County Council in efforts to secure such properties for public use. [38240/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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In line with Government priorities set out in policies such as Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First Policy, my Department implements a range of support schemes aimed at improving the sustainability and vitality of our rural towns and villages. These schemes are delivered under the banner of our Rural Development Investment Programme, and have seen record levels of investment in our rural towns and villages in recent years.

For the most part, these schemes are delivered in conjunction with our local authorities as the key delivery partners and the option to purchase strategically important buildings in rural towns and villages is a feature of these schemes. This approach is designed to help local authorities to ensure that such buildings remain in use in a way that contributes to the overall development of the town in question.

For example, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, or the RRDF, allows for the purchase of land and buildings and provides funding for the development and construction of large-scale capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland.

The competitive assessment process for the 4th Call of RRDF Category 2 applications, which closed in March 2025, is ongoing. Funding under Category 2 is to develop potential projects to the stage where they are shovel ready, and I anticipate that an announcement of successful projects will be made in Quarter 3 of this year.

Category 1 RRDF funding provides support for full implementation of proposed projects in our rural towns and villages, and I intend to open a further call for Category 1 applications towards the end of this year.

Under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, a specific ‘Building Acquisition Measure’ was introduced in 2022 and has supported local authorities to acquire derelict or vacant buildings for town regeneration purposes. This option is available again in this year's scheme, and I expect to make funding announcements in this regard in the coming weeks. The application window for the main Town and Village Renewal Scheme is currently open until 25 July, and the enhancement of heritage assets is among the type of activities supported again under this years scheme.

I would encourage the Deputy to engage with Galway County Council in relation to the funding streams which are available for the development of projects.