Regeneration Projects

Thursday, 21 May 2026

Questions (126, 127)

Thomas Gould

Question:

126. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when he will open the next phase of town centre first applications. [38217/26]

View answer

127. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide an update on the Town Centre First policy; if he believes it is achieving its stated aims; the evidence he would point to suggest this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38221/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 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.

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 nationwide and the appointment of 26 Town Regeneration Officers in local authorities, funded by my Department, who work as central drivers of TCF at a local level.

Dedicated funding of over €7 million has also been provided under a package of TCF supports. Included in this package of funding was support for the development of 52 TCF Town Plans nationally. These community-based plans are produced by individual Town Teams, which will help communities develop a vision for their town and identify viable projects to realise that vision. Funding has also been provided for the establishment and development of Town Teams nationwide and the Department has provided funds to allow towns prepare for major projects via a Project Development Measure.

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 funding streams across Government.

This includes a range of measures funded by my Department to support the revitalisation and regeneration of rural towns and villages including the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Calls for Proposals are periodically issued to local authorities who can then submit proposals in line with priorities identified in TCF Plans. The 2026 Call for Proposals for the Building and Land Acquisition Measure under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is currently open to applications with a closing date of 29 May 2026. A RRDF Call for Proposals is also currently open with a closing date for applications of July 29th.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who holds joint responsibility for the policy, also implements a suite of schemes including the new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant under the Croí Conaithe initiative, and THRIVE - the TCF Heritage Renewal Scheme.

It is clear from the experience of recent funding calls for proposals from my Department that the TCF approach is having an impact, resulting in higher quality applications based on clear local input with projects identified in TCF plans securing capital funding through the various available Departmental schemes.

My department remains committed to the success of the TCF policy and will continue to work closely with local authorities and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to work on the next phase of implementation, in order to deliver on our goal of revitalising rural towns and villages.

Question No. 127 answered with Question No. 126.