Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
1277. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to detail the supports available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10118/26]
View answerIn line with commitments in Our Rural Future, Town Centre First and Our Living Islands, my department supports a wide range of strategic capital schemes to address challenges like vacancy and dereliction throughout rural Ireland. Rather than being targeted as private business owners, these schemes are in the main by our local authorities who may work in partnership with community groups to bring forward projects in response to departmental ‘Calls for Proposals’. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) introduced in 2016, is one such measure designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. This scheme places particular emphasis on projects that will bring derelict and vacant buildings and sites back into use as multi-purpose community spaces. Over €210 million has been allocated to over 1,900 projects since the launch of the scheme. My announcement on 22 December last, saw funding of over €26.2m confirmed for a total of 116 projects under the 2025 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. In 2022, in recognition of the urgent need to regenerate town centres a new Building Acquisition Measure was introduced within the scheme. This saw an amendment to the scheme’s criteria to allow the provision of support to local authorities to acquire derelict or vacant buildings with a view to the later development of these buildings for multi-purpose community use. Under the 2025 TVRS the scheme’s criteria was widened further to allow the purchase of land in town and village centres under the Building and Land Acquisition Measure, and 20 purchases were completed by year end with expenditure of €3.76 million of which €450,000 was for the purchase of a vacant and derelict property in Co Limerick following an application submitted by the Council. This measure has seen a focus on the purchase of vacant and derelict buildings which are of strategic and cultural importance within towns - with buildings such as old schools, post offices, banks, pubs and parish halls being included in applications. In collaboration with local authorities, communities are pursuing ambitions redevelopment plans to transform these buildings into vibrant, multi-purpose facilities. Proposed uses include youth spaces, education and enterprise hubs, men's and women's sheds, and space for arts and culture, among others. The TVRS is administered through local authorities, who work closely with local communities and businesses to develop proposals that will bring long-lasting, positive impacts to rural towns and villages. Future applicants should, in the first instance, engage with their relevant local authority to discuss the development of an application, and the funding streams that may be currently available.
