Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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24. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to report on progress as part of the Town Centre First policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67798/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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. TCF supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland by setting out a framework to facilitate and resource the regeneration of Irish towns to ensure they are vibrant, viable places to live, work, invest in, and visit.

Significant progress has been made since the launch of the Policy towards achieving its objectives. Important developments include the establishment of a dedicated National TCF Office within the Local Government Management Agency which drives the actions under the policy; the establishment of Town Teams nationally and the appointment of 26 Town Regeneration Officers in each local authority (funded by my Department) who work as central drivers of TCF at a local level; and the establishment of a National Oversight and Advisory Group which oversees delivery of the TCF policy.

In December 2021, funding of €2.6 million was announced to support the development of 26 TCF Town Plans. These community-based plans are produced by individual Town Teams, drawn from local community and business representatives, and are helping communities develop a vision for their town and identify viable projects to realise that vision. This first phase of TCF plans are now complete and have moved onto project delivery phase. These Town Plans can be viewed on the TCF website at .

In February 2024, a new TCF suite of supports was launched with of €4.5 million made allocated through three funding measures, which will help regenerate town centres through a bottom-up approach. This includes an allocation of €30,000 for the development of a further 26 TCF plans. The development of this second suite of TCF plans across these towns is now reaching a conclusion with individual towns currently approving and publishing their plans.

The 2024 suite of supports also includes a funding allocation towards the establishment and development of Town Teams nationwide and to allow towns prepare for major projects via the ‘Project Development Measure’. Further details of successful projects can be found at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/publications/town-centre-first-policy/.

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 funded programme in and of itself. Importantly, the TCF approach is also underpinned by a range of capital funding streams across Government which have been aligned with the policy aims of TCF. These include the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the THRIVE scheme to revitalise our heritage buildings and the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. The experience of recent funding calls for proposals has shown that the TCF approach is having an impact, resulting in higher quality applications based on clear local input.

The Programme for Government commits to the continued resourcing of the TCF model and to establish a Town Regeneration Team in every local authority. My Department will continue to work closely with colleagues in the National TCF Office, local authorities and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure the ongoing implementation of the policy and to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages.

Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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25. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding allocated to date under the Town Centre First initiative for towns in Galway east such as Athenry, Gort and Loughrea; the status of pending applications; his plans to support further regeneration in small towns throughout east Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68442/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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. 

In December 2021, funding of €2.6 million was announced to support the development of 26 TCF town plans nationally, including Gort in east Galway. These community-based plans are produced by individual Town Teams, drawn from local community and business representatives, and are helping communities develop a vision for their town and identify viable projects to realise that vision. This first phase of TCF plans are complete and have moved onto the project delivery phase.

In February 2024, a new TCF suite of supports was launched with €4.5 million allocated through three funding measures, which will help regenerate town centres through a bottom-up approach. This includes funding allocations for the development of a further 26 TCF town plans, with Athenry awarded €30,000 under this measure.   

TCF also  includes a Town Teams support fund, with Headford in east Galway and An Cheathrú Rua and Oranmore awarded €10,000 each.  Funding of up to €50k has also been provided to assist towns in preparing for major projects via the TCF “Project Development Measure’’. This has included projects in Ahascragh, Clonbur and Eyrecourt. 

Rather than being a funding stream in its own right, the significance of TCF is that it is a policy document providing an integrated policy approach for the development of Irish towns which is underpinned by a range of capital funding streams.  This includes funding streams which are available across Government. For example, operating to Town Centre First principles, my Department administers a range of measures to support the revitalisation and regeneration of rural towns and villages including the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).  Calls for Proposals are periodically issued to local authorities who can then submit proposals in line with priorities identified in Town Centre First Plans.

The TVRS provides of funding for projects designed to combat vacancy and dereliction and rejuvenate town and village centres.  Since its launch, almost €184 million has been allocated to over 1,800 projects across Ireland. Examples of the TVRS in East Galway includes a Streetscape Enhancement Scheme allocated €100,000 in Portumna town centre and the development of the Pulse Hub-Co Working and Remote Working Space in Ballinasloe allocated €250,000.  I expect to announce successful projects under the 2025 TVRS in the coming weeks.

The RRDF is a major capital investment programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.  Since 2018, over €613 million has been allocated to 273 RRDF projects. Examples of the RRDF in East Galway includes the Athenry Public Realm Enhancement Scheme approved in 2024 and allocated €6.75m, the ‘Regeneration Loughrea’ scheme allocated €4.25m and the renovation of Tuam Town Hall  which was allocated €3.69m last year.

Details of all the towns and projects awarded funding under Town Centre First and my Department’s range of capital schemes can be found on the Departments website.

It is also important to note that there is a range of other support funding in place right across Government.  Town Centre First has been developed in conjunction with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.  ‘Bringing Back Homes’ details over 20 incentives, funded measures and grants to address vacancy and dereliction.  Supports 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.

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