The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD announced a new funding stream to support Local Authorities to purchase vacant buildings which can be converted for community use.
The funding, which is being made available under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, aims to support the continued regeneration of our rural towns and villages so that they are attractive, vibrant places for people to live and work.
Announcing the launch of the scheme, Minister Humphreys said: “Our Rural Future, the Government’s ambitious policy for rural development, prioritises the regeneration and repopulation of our rural towns and villages- we want our towns so be attractive places where people want to live, work, socialise and raise a family.
“Under the new Building Acquisition Measure, up to €400,000 will be available per local authority this year. I am encouraging Local Authorities to engage with communities, identify suitable properties, come up with a proposal for their future use and apply to my Department for the funding.
“There are former bank buildings which could easily be converted into remote working hubs. Equally, we know there are many community groups and voluntary organisations who need a space for local events and activities who need a space for local events and activities, so let’s renovate and repurpose some of our old town centre buildings to accommodate them.”
Priority will be given to projects that align with the objectives of ‘Our Rural Future’, with a focus on the purchase of vacant properties for community use, enabling them to be repurposed as community spaces, developing them into parks, green spaces and recreational amenities and the development of outdoor dining spaces and plazas in town centres.
The Scheme typically funds rural towns and villages with a population of up to 10,000. Larger rural towns with a population of up to 15,000 people may be eligible where the application is particularly strong and the project will have a significant impact on the town in question.
Full details of the Scheme will be published on the Department’s website in the coming days.
