44. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the additional supports he plans to introduce to tackle vacancy and dereliction in rural towns and villages. [53278/26]

Launched in 2022, the Town Centre First Policy is a major cross-government policy which aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres.

Town Regeneration Officers, or TRO’s, funded by my Department, work closely across multi-disciplinary teams in local authorities who are collectively responsible for town regeneration including combatting vacancy and dereliction. This includes for example dedicated ‘Capital Delivery Teams’, and Broadband Officers, who are also funded by my Department, and Vacant Homes Officers.

Importantly, a range of capital funding streams is available to support delivery on Town Centre First objectives. For example, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) have provided growing levels of funding to rural communities in recent years.

RRDF seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development. Since 2020, almost €447 million has been allocated for 164 projects across Ireland, including just over €15.9 million for 6 projects across Co. Offaly. RRDF is currently open in respect of a Sixth Call for Category 1 Call applications.

The TVRS is designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland and supports projects that bring derelict and vacant buildings and sites back into use as multi-purpose community spaces.  Over €210 million has been allocated to over 1,900 projects since the launch of the scheme, of this over €8.4 million has been awarded to County Offaly for 71 projects. It is my intention to issue a call for proposals under the scheme in the coming months.

Town Centre First is also supported by other funding measures available across Government. For example, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who holds joint responsibility for the policy, also implements a suite of schemes including the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and THRIVE.

My Department will continue to work closely with colleagues across Government to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages and addressing the issues of dereliction and vacancy.