Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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626. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided to an organisation in County Mayo (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49462/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) in 2016, over €156 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects. The 2023 Scheme, launched on 21 July 2023 with an overall fund of €15 million, is designed to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland through a renewed focus on town centre economic and social recovery and regeneration

As committed under Our Rural Future, Ireland's rural development policy, and in line with the Town Centre First Policy, TVRS priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to deliver real impact, support vibrant and attractive communities and to encourage people back to living in our rural towns and villages.

TVRS is administered through local authorities, who work closely with local communities and businesses to develop proposals that can make a lasting impact on rural towns and villages.

The closing date for receipt of applications into the Department under the 2023 scheme was last Friday 10th November 2023, and the assessment process has now commenced.

Funding under the Scheme is awarded on a competitive basis, with all applications being assessed for suitability against scheme criteria and objectives. Other relevant considerations which inform the assessment process include the number and progress of TVRS projects in the relevant local authorities, and the geographical spread of projects.

I can confirm that an application has been received in relation to the project referred to. All applications received will be assessed as part of a competitive process, including the proposal from the organisation mentioned by the Deputy. I expect to be in a position to announce the successful projects in Quarter 1 of 2024.