There is “lots of money” available to local communities looking to get involved in a major scheme aimed at reinvigorating towns and cities across Ireland.

The Town Centre First scheme aims to tackle vacancy and dereliction in rural communities and breathe new life into Ireland’s town centres.

The first 26 schemes approved under the plan are due to be revealed today and on Newstalk Breakfast this morning, National Town Centre First Co-ordinator Mairead Hunt said she is urging other communities to get involved and apply for State funding.

“There is lots of money there,” she said.

“We have the rural regeneration and development fund which is €1 billion until 2027 and we have the urban regeneration and development fund which is €2 billion until 2027.

“So funding for the delivery of the projects and the actual action on the ground is not a problem at all.

“It is really important though that the actual voice of the community comes through – this is the community’s plan and we want to hear from the communities about what they want to see happen in their towns.”

Transformation

All 26 local authorities selected one town or village to take part in the scheme when it was first announced in 2021 and Ms Hunt said there are some fantastic ideas being unveiled today.

“In Clara in County Offaly, the plan there includes the transformation of a former railway line to a greenway and a walking route and water sports facility along the River Brosna,” she said.

“That project will bring people into Clara and make it a much more attractive place, to open a business in, invest, visit and indeed live in because it is a really pretty village but having something like this as a focal point will really transform the village itself.”

"Viable, vibrant and attractive"

Ms Hunt said the project aims to bring life back into town centres across the country – “returning them to viable, vibrant and attractive places to live work and do business.”

She said local communities can register their interest to get involved with their local authorities.

“There are 26 town regeneration officers based in local authorities across the country and they are there to support communities in the development of a town centre first plan,” she said.

“Looking at the facts and the actual realities of the towns – the challenges and the opportunities.

“Also really listening to the people – what are their wishes, what is their vision? What do they like about the town? What do they want to see happen?

“It is all then put into an action plan and from that, the town regeneration officer actually supports the community in actual action and delivery of those projects.”

Ms Hunt said bringing people back into towns and villages increases footfall and spend – thus making it more attractive to “reopen that shop or open a café” and return life to your village.

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