Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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112. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding provided under Budget 2026 for the town centres first policy; if this is additional funding; and the number of additional towns this will allow to come under the model. [55305/25]

Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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134. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if implementation update reports will be published on the success of the Town Centres First model Phase 1. [55304/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 134 together.

Launched in 2022, 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. The policy 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 Budget 2026 allocation for dedicated costs associated with the Town Centre First policy is in line with the 2025 funding allocation at €3.62 million. The annual TCF budget has funded 26 Town Regeneration Officers nationally who are based in local authorities and work with Town Teams. It has also supported the establishment of over 100 Town Teams including the development of Town Centre First Plans. Town Regeneration Officers work closely across multi-disciplinary technical teams such as Capital Delivery Teams, Vacant Homes Officers, Broadband Officers, Night-Time Economy Officers to build linkages with Town Teams and other stakeholders.

As can be seen from the 33 actions contained within the policy, the significance of TCF is that it provides an integrated policy approach for the development of Irish towns rather than being a single dedicated funding line in and of itself. Instead, the TCF approach is underpinned by a range of capital funding streams across Government. These include, for example, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund and the THRIVE scheme.

It is important to stress that, subject to the standard eligibility criteria, Departmental and wider Government capital schemes can be accessed to support towns and villages nationally irrespective of whether those towns and villages have formal Town Centre First Plans or Town Teams in place.

Town Centre First has been developed in conjunction with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Falling within the parameters of this policy, I would also refer to the publication ‘Bringing Back Homes’ which details over 20 incentives, funded measures and grants to support a reversal of vacancy and dereliction. Some of the main supports available and provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage include the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant under the Croí Conaithe initiative, the Repair and Leasing Scheme, the Buy and Renew Scheme, and the Living City Initiative.

The Local Government Management Agency has established a ‘National Town Centre First Office’ to assist in the policy delivery and implementation of TCF actions. This office produces annual implementation plans and progress reports. It is also responsible for stakeholder engagement and co-ordination at a national level. Details of the various reports and resources made available by the National Office are available on its Town Centre First website.

The National Office has confirmed that an informal review of the methodologies used to develop Phase 1 Town Centre First plans was undertaken. This initial review identified good practice, gaps or omissions in the completion of the Phase 1 Town Centre First plans. To date, a considerable number of projects prioritised in Phase 1 Town Centre First plans have been successful in securing capital funding through the various available Departmental schemes. With this in mind, the National Office has confirmed that a further review Phase 1 Town Centre First plans is will be undertaken by the National TCF Office to include details of progress made by each town subsequent to the development of their plan.

Government remains committed to the success of the Town Centre First policy and will continue to work closely with local authorities to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages.