Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2026
464. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding streams including town and village renewal, CLÁR, or other rural schemes that can be used to assist community groups in the purchase or long-term leasing of lands for public amenities such as waste facilities or community services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22969/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra468. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the supports available to community groups (details supplied) in their efforts to secure land for essential services such as a community hub; whether additional targeted supports for rural villages facing land availability challenges are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22972/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra469. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether flexibility can be applied under existing rural development schemes to support projects where land acquisition has proven difficult despite clear community need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22973/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 464, 468 and 469 together.
In line with commitments in Our Rural Future, my Department supports a wide range of strategic capital investment schemes ringfenced under the Rural Development Investment Programme.
Funding to support the acquisition of land and buildings is available under a number of such schemes subject to certain conditions and eligibility criteria. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) is designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland through projects such as bringing vacant and derelict buildings and lands back into use as community multi-purpose spaces.
In 2022, in recognition of the need to transform and regenerate town centres a Building Acquisition Measure was introduced under the TVRS to allow local authorities purchase vacant and derelict buildings for redevelopment into multi-purpose community facilities. Following the success of this measure it was reviewed and broadened to permit additional types of acquisitions, becoming the Building or Land Acquisition Measure. In 2025 this saw funding made available to Kerry County Council to purchase both land and buildings in its administrative area.
Also administered by my department, the Rural Regeneration Development Fund is a major programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural area. The focus of the Fund is on rural towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000 people. RRDF project proposals are developed and delivered by eligible Lead Bodies including our local authorities, local development companies and other State agencies.
Calls for applications to the RRDF are sought under two categories, Category 1 and Category 2. Category 2 proposals encompass the detailed development of projects in advance of full implementation, while Category 1 projects entail larger scale support for capital projects that are ready to commence, with all planning and consents satisfied. Both categories can entail support for the purchase of land or buildings linked to regenerative projects.
My department keeps all its programmes under ongoing review to ensure they remain responsive to emerging needs. This includes consideration of how existing supports can be utilised with appropriate flexibility, within the parameters of each scheme. These reviews will help shape the design of any future iterations of the schemes.
