Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
32. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when he plans to launch the next round of town and village renewal scheme funding; if projects that were unsuccessful in previous rounds will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22996/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra59. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when applications for the next round of the town and village renewal scheme will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21757/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 59 together.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) is one of my Department’s schemes to support the revitalisation of rural towns and villages across Ireland. Since the launch of TVRS in 2016 over €210 million has been allocated to over 1,900 projects across Ireland.
TVRS focuses on stimulating town centre economic and social regeneration to be achieved through projects which support sustainable employment creation, town centre resilience and regeneration, enhancement of our streetscapes, and the bringing of vacant and derelict buildings or lands back into use as multi-use community spaces.
The 2025 TVRS Scheme had three funding streams for project applications, the Building or Land Acquisition Measure, the Main Scheme and the Project Development Measure. In December last, I announced the most recent round of TVRS funding and confirmed the allocation of €26.2 million to 116 projects under the Main Scheme and the Project Development Measure. In August of 2025, I confirmed funding of €6.73 for the local authority acquisition of property under the TVRS ‘Building and Land Acquisition Measure’.
TVRS scheme priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to support vibrant and attractive communities and to respond to changing needs and opportunities. It is important to note that TVRS is always oversubscribed with respect to the available budget. Funding is allocated based on project suitability against the scheme criteria, geographical spread, the quality of the proposed projects and the available budget.
Projects that did not secure funding in previous rounds of TVRS are eligible to reapply provided they meet the current scheme criteria.
The details of the next iteration of TVRS are currently being developed and I expect to announce details of the scheme later this year.
