Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
1271. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the reason the proposed community project at the former Bank of Ireland premises at Carnew, County Wicklow was unsuccessful under the 2025 Town and Village Renewal Fund; the funding that has been provided under this fund to Carnew, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11898/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. Over €210 million has been allocated to over 1,900 projects since the launch of the scheme.
Under the most recent round of funding, in December last, I was delighted to confirm funding of over €26.2 million of 116 projects under the 2025 Scheme. This saw Wicklow County Council allocated €274,500 for two projects, one in Rathdrum under the ‘Main Scheme’ and one for a project in Arklow under the ‘Project Development Measure’.
Since the inception of the Scheme, Wicklow County Council has been allocated TVRS funding of over €5.1 million for 61 projects. This includes €322,500 for three projects in Carnew.
In respect of the Council’s proposal seeking TVRS funding to deliver a remote working hub in Carnew, all applications to the scheme are assessed on a competitive basis. Funding is allocated nationally based on a project's suitability against scheme criteria, a reasonable geographical spread of projects, the quality of the proposed projects, and the available budget. In addition, the 2025 TVRS ‘Scheme Outline’ drew applicants' attention to the existing level of investment and provision of services in the network of hubs currently on the Connected Hubs Network
Whilst I fully understand the disappointment in those communities not deemed successful, typically, and as was the case in this instance, each call for proposals is heavily oversubscribed with respect to the available TVRS budget.
My officials have engaged with officials in Wicklow County Council as the Lead Applicant to provide feedback and will continue to engage in relation to the range of schemes implemented by my department.
