Rural Schemes

Tuesday, 29 September 2026

Ceisteanna (945)

Ken O'Flynn

Ceist:

945. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether any funding under the town and village renewal scheme or any other scheme funded by the Department has been provided to businesses whose primary activity is the retail of vaping products, e-cigarettes or nicotine inhaling products; if his Department will request from each local authority the number and value of any such supports in each year from 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68768/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht

In line with policy commitments in Our Rural Future and Town Centre First, my department implements a range of measures to support the revitalisation and regeneration of rural towns and villages.

These include the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which was referenced by the Deputy. This scheme was introduced in 2016 and places particular emphasis on projects which support sustainable employment creation, town centre resilience and regeneration, enhance streetscapes, and bringing derelict and vacant buildings and sites back into use as multi-purpose community spaces.

This is one of many grant schemes across my department, none of which are directed at funding private businesses whose primary activity is the retail of vaping products, e-cigarettes or nicotine inhaling products.

Full details of the grant schemes funded by my department are available on the departments website: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/