Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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30. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for an update on the town and village renewal scheme in Carlow and Kilkenny. [68327/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Delivered in partnership with local authorities, it primarily targets funding at areas with populations of less than 10,000 people.

Since the launch of the scheme almost €184 million has been allocated to over 1,800 projects nationally. Of this, Carlow has been allocated funding of over €7.3 million for 68 projects, with over €6.5 million allocated to 65 projects in Kilkenny. Details of all TVRS projects funded by the Department can be found on the Department's website.

The 2025 Scheme was launched in March 2025 and places particular emphasis on projects that have a renewed focus on town centre economic and social recovery and regeneration. The scheme included three funding streams under which project applications could be made, the Building or Land Acquisition Measure (BLAM), the Main Scheme and the Project Development Measure (PDM).

The BLAM closed for applications on 2 May 2025, and local authorities have been informed of successful applications. For reasons of commercial sensitivity, details of individual projects receiving support will be released only after the conveyancing of the properties or lands in question has been completed.

The 2025 Main Scheme and PDM closed for applications at the end of July. I can confirm that applications were received from the local authorities in both Carlow and Kilkenny. The assessment process is now nearing completion, and I hope to announce the successful projects in the near future.