Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2026
21. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether he is satisfied that Town Centre First, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, and Rural Regeneration and Development Fund are being matched with sufficient delivery capacity within local authorities; and the concrete changes have occurred on the ground as a result of the policy. [8709/26]
View answerThe last number of years have seen a substantial growth in the level of capital funding that my Department provides to local authorities for the delivery of projects under schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. This strong investment will continue in 2026, with over €218 million available for rural and community capital schemes.
In light of this sustained investment, my Department and the local authorities have worked together to develop a more strategic approach to capital project delivery at local authority level. As a result, my Department, in consultation with the County and City Management Association, established the Capital Delivery Teams initiative.
This initiative provides each of the 28 local authorities that are eligible for rural development funding with up to €260,000 each year, for a period of five years, to established Capital Delivery Teams. A total of 101 posts are being funded, including technical posts such as engineers, dedicated to developing and delivering my Department’s capital funded projects.
Staff were recruited throughout 2025, and all 28 teams are operational. The teams are focusing on improving delivery of existing projects, generating a strong pipeline of new projects, and enhancing communications between local authorities and communities, and communications with my Department.
My Department is also providing capacity to deliver on the Town Centre First policy. A dedicated National Town Centre First Office within the Local Government Management Agency is in place to implement the policy actions, and 26 Town Regeneration Officers have been appointed across local authorities to drive the initiative. These officers work across multidisciplinary technical teams to build linkages with Town Teams and other stakeholders.
I am confident that this investment in capacity in local authorities will ensure a more strategic approach to investment, will enhance project development and delivery, and will improve engagement with communities on how their areas should develop.
