Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 October 2024
216. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for a funding allocation comparison for public realm infrastructure between Portlaoise and Newbridge for 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43323/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regeneration and revitalisation of our rural towns and villages is a key priority for my Department. In support of this priority my Department has put in place a range of supports and schemes, which focus on rural towns.
Towns such as Portlaoise and Newbridge which have a population of over 10,000, are not generally eligible for inclusion in such schemes. For example, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) is part of a range of measures designed to support these objectives. Since the launch of the TVRS in 2016 over €177 million has been allocated to almost 1,800 projects. The scheme provides funding to villages and towns with a population of less than 10,000 people with a minimum of 60% of the funding ring-fenced for villages and towns of less than 5,000 people.
However, as an exceptional measure, in 2020, funding was provided to TVRS which included funding for larger towns, including Portlaoise and Newbridge, aimed at assisting towns to respond to the challenges posed by COVID-19. The inclusion of larger towns on this occasion was in recognition of their importance in supporting the economic and social fabric of their surrounding rural communities.
Kildare County Council applied for, and secured funding of €40,000 for the removal of existing on street car parking spaces to allow the installation of parklets as well as for the use of public realm to allow for social distancing along with market stalls, outdoor eating & queuing of patrons for businesses in Newbridge. Similarly, Laois County Council was awarded funding of €36,000 to make improvements to the public realm which included street furniture and planting.
In respect of larger towns, I can confirm that the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government manages the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) which has a specific focus on towns with a population of over 10,000. The URDF aims to deliver more compact and sustainable development, as envisaged under Project Ireland 2040. It does this by part-funding regeneration and rejuvenation projects in Ireland’s five cities and other large towns. More compact and sustainable development involves a greater proportion of residential and mixed-use development within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and towns. This will ensure more parts of our urban areas become attractive and vibrant places in which to live, work, visit and invest.
