€500k funding to council to acquire derelict properties

Meath County Council will have the opportunity to access funding of €500,000 to purchase up to three vacant or derelict buildings to redevelop as community facilities under a new €13m scheme announced this week by Minister Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys.

The funding, under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, is designed to make towns and villages more attractive places in which to live, visit, invest and raise a family.

Funding previously announced under the scheme saw old banks, court houses, garda stations and FCA halls all purchased and re-purposed for 21st century use.

Minister Humphreys has encouraged councils to work with communities in pinpointing buildings that are suffering from vacancy and dereliction.

She said: “This initiative is already having a hugely positive impact right across Rural Ireland. With the support of my Department, councils have been given the resources they need to purchase buildings that have been lying idle for years.

“Given the success to date, I’m delighted today to announce further funding of €13 million.

“ I’m inviting all eligible local authorities to submit up to three properties for purchase and we will provide them with funding of up to €500,000 to do so.

“The properties that will be purchased will be taken into public ownership." Applications under the Building Acquisition Measure must be submitted by 28th April 2023.