Written Answers Nos. 287-301
287. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he is concerned at the increase in the death rate in this country since 2021; if he will undertake a review of the increased number to determine the cause of deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42034/23]
View answerThe Central Statistics Office (CSO) publishes official statistics on mortality in Ireland and publishes quarterly and yearly statistics on registered deaths through their Vital Statistics publications. The latest published data is for deaths registered in Quarter 1 2023 and data is provisional. Data on total deaths registered per year and the crude death rate per 1,000 population is attached. [CSO_Deaths_Rate_year] The crude death rate (not age-standardised to take account of demographic changes) in 2021 was 6.6 per 1,000 population, in 2022 the crude death rate was 7 per 1,000 population. Data for both years is provisional.
CSO Death rates per year.
|
Year |
State |
Number of Deaths |
Death Rate per 1,000 population |
|
1989 |
State |
32111 |
9.1 |
|
1990 |
State |
31370 |
8.9 |
|
1991 |
State |
31305 |
8.9 |
|
1992 |
State |
30931 |
8.7 |
|
1993 |
State |
32148 |
9 |
|
1994 |
State |
30948 |
8.6 |
|
1995 |
State |
32259 |
9 |
|
1996 |
State |
31723 |
8.7 |
|
1997 |
State |
31581 |
8.6 |
|
1998 |
State |
31563 |
8.5 |
|
1999 |
State |
32608 |
8.7 |
|
2000 |
State |
31391 |
8.3 |
|
2001 |
State |
30212 |
7.9 |
|
2002 |
State |
29683 |
7.6 |
|
2003 |
State |
29074 |
7.3 |
|
2004 |
State |
28665 |
7.1 |
|
2005 |
State |
28260 |
6.8 |
|
2006 |
State |
28488 |
6.7 |
|
2007 |
State |
28117 |
6.4 |
|
2008 |
State |
28274 |
6.3 |
|
2009 |
State |
28380 |
6.3 |
|
2010 |
State |
27961 |
6.1 |
|
2011 |
State |
28456 |
6.2 |
|
2012 |
State |
29186 |
6.4 |
|
2013 |
State |
29504 |
6.4 |
|
2014 |
State |
29252 |
6.3 |
|
2015 |
State |
30127 |
6.4 |
|
2016 |
State |
30667 |
6.5 |
|
2017 |
State |
30418 |
6.3 |
|
2018 |
State |
31140 |
6.4 |
|
2019 |
State |
31184 |
6.3 |
|
2020 |
State |
32856 |
6.6 |
|
2021(p) |
State |
33055 |
6.6 |
|
2022(p) |
State |
35477 |
7 |
Source: Central Statistics Office, data.cso.ie/table/VSA09.
Data is final up to 2020. Data for subsequent year/s is provisional.
Death rates in table VSA09 are crude rates. They do not take account of the age structure of the population.
Provisional data on total deaths by cause of death registered in 2021 and 2022 is attached. [Cause of Death_2021-2022_CSO] Neoplasms was the main cause of death in both years (29.3% of all deaths in 2021 and 29.7% in 2022), followed by diseases of the circulatory system (26.5% of all deaths in 2021 and 27.2% in 2022).
Cause of death of deaths registered per year by ICD-10 Diagnostic Group, 2021-2022 (provisional)
|
- |
2021 |
2022 |
||
|
No. |
% |
No. |
% |
|
|
Cause of Death (ICD-10 Diagnostic Group) |
||||
|
Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99) |
262 |
0.79% |
347 |
0.98% |
|
Neoplasms (C00-D48) |
9,674 |
29.27% |
10,541 |
29.71% |
|
Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs, immunological disorders (D50-D89) |
87 |
0.26% |
115 |
0.32% |
|
Endocrine, Nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E90) |
840 |
2.54% |
963 |
2.71% |
|
Mental and behavioural disorders (F00-F99) |
1,758 |
5.32% |
2,097 |
5.91% |
|
Diseases of the nervous system and the sense organs (G00-H95) |
1,662 |
5.03% |
1,783 |
5.03% |
|
Diseases of the Circulatory System (I00-I99) |
8,753 |
26.48% |
9,652 |
27.21% |
|
Diseases of the Respiratory system (J00-J99) |
3,011 |
9.11% |
3,717 |
10.48% |
|
Diseases of the Digestive system (K00-K93) |
1,227 |
3.71% |
1,337 |
3.77% |
|
Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99) |
62 |
0.19% |
91 |
0.26% |
|
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system/connective tissue (M00-M99) |
246 |
0.74% |
333 |
0.94% |
|
Diseases of the genitourinary system (N00-N99) |
591 |
1.79% |
683 |
1.93% |
|
Complications of pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium (O00-O99) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P96) |
83 |
0.25% |
89 |
0.25% |
|
Congenital malformations and chromosomal abnomalities (Q00-Q99) |
180 |
0.54% |
186 |
0.52% |
|
Symptoms, signs, abnormal findings, ill-defined causes (R00-R99) |
179 |
0.54% |
196 |
0.55% |
|
Provisional assignment of new diseases of uncertain etiology or emergency use (U00-U49) (COVID-19) |
3,012 |
9.11% |
1,849 |
5.21% |
|
External causes of injury and poisoning (V01-Y89) |
1,428 |
4.32% |
1,498 |
4.22% |
|
Total deaths (A00-Y89) |
33,055 |
100% |
35,477 |
100% |
|
Source: CSO, Vital Statistics, Table VSD45: Deaths Registered data.cso.ie/table/VSD45. |
||||
|
Important Notice: Information on occurrence of deaths is only available for those which have been registered and does not apply to deaths which are yet to be registered. As such, death occurrence statistics in this publication are provisional and subject to further revision as deaths continue to be registered. Statistics in more recent quarters are more likely to be subject to revision. |
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Furthermore, births are more likely to be registered in a timelier manner than deaths due to variations in reporting time requirements. |
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|
As the occurred life event series are not directly comparable to registered life event series, it is possible for the number of occurred life events in a time period to exceed the number of registered life events in a time period, and vice versa. |
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The recent Census 2022 results have shown that the number of persons in Ireland aged 65 years and over increased by 22% between 2016 and 2022 to 776,315 persons. Within this category, the highest increases were among those aged 75-84 years (28%) and 85 years and over (25%). Over the same period, the total population only increased by 8.1% with declines in some younger age.
The 2023 population estimates published by the CSO on 25 September show a further increase in the older age population to 806,300 persons aged 65 years and over. This group now accounts for 15.3% of Ireland’s population compared with 13.6% of the population in 2017. An ageing population has an impact on the number of deaths which occur and the death rate.
The Department of Health does not produce estimates of excess mortality. However, the Department works closely with the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and other stakeholders to monitor estimates of excess mortality. Excess mortality refers to the number of deaths from all causes during a period of time above and beyond what we would have normally expected to see.
A number of different methodologies have been developed by organisations and academics internationally to try to estimate levels of excess mortality. It is important to note that estimation methods vary, for example in the years used to estimate a baseline, in how they estimate the level of expected deaths, the data source used for ‘actual’ deaths and whether statistical significance tests are applied before reporting deaths as excess. There is therefore no single source of data on estimated excess mortality.
Internationally work is currently underway to improve methods to estimate excess mortality including moving the baseline years used to calculate expected deaths forward from pre-pandemic years. The gap between the current period and the baseline period is relatively wide and growing. The gap is greater than would have been normal practice previously, which impacts on comparability between the current period and the period used to estimate ‘expected’ deaths.
In addition, most estimation methods, including Eurostat and EuroMOMO, do not currently take account of demographic changes such as population change or ageing which may have occurred since the baseline period and which can have a large impact on mortality. EuroMOMO has received four-year funding to further develop their model, including the incorporation of demographic change.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has monitored excess mortality in Ireland since 2009, using registered deaths data reported to HPSC on a daily basis from the General Register Office (GRO). HPSC participates in EuroMOMO for Ireland, a European mortality monitoring activity, aiming to detect and measure excess deaths related to seasonal influenza, pandemics and other public health threats. EuroMOMO publish a weekly update of estimates of excess mortality for all participating European countries www.euromomo.eu/graphs-and-maps. This is the primary indicator of excess mortality used in Ireland.
The latest HPSC excess mortality analysis of all registered deaths in Ireland for the 2022/2023 winter period, using the standardised European EuroMOMO algorithm, has shown:
• Excess all-cause mortality over five consecutive weeks (week 51 2022 – week 3 2023), reaching moderate levels of excess during weeks 51 and 52 2022 and week 2 2023 (data attached)
• All-cause, all ages mortality has been below the baseline and within the normal range since week 3 2023.
• EuroMOMO estimates that over the past 12 months, Ireland has experienced excess mortality during five weeks.
EuroMOMO excess mortality estimates (weekly z-scores) for all ages, Ireland, Week 37 2017 – Week 35 2023 www.euromomo.eu/graphs-and-maps# .
See attached EuroMOMO_IRL_-z-scores.png.
These data are provisional due to the time lag with death registration in Ireland. A country-specific adjustment function was applied to correct for the typical lag in registrations of deaths in Ireland (the legal period for death registration in Ireland is three months). Nonetheless, estimates of excess mortality for the most recent weeks are reported with some uncertainty and should be interpreted with caution.
It is important to note that excess mortality has been observed during previous periods when influenza viruses circulated at high levels in Ireland, for example in winter 2017/2018 which has previously been characterised as a severe flu season, and during certain periods of the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020 and January 2021).
As Ireland experienced a winter of high levels of influenza cases and hospitalisations, it would not be unexpected to see excess mortality. Influenza activity was at very high levels in Ireland during December 2022 and early/mid-January 2023, with a high number of influenza hospitalisations reported (see www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/influenza/seasonalinfluenza/surveillance/influenzasurveillancereports/20222023season/). Other important factors that may impact excess mortality include the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, circulation of other respiratory viruses, impacts of cold weather, and an ageing population.
Excess mortality was also observed in other European countries over the course of winter 2022/2023. In Europe, the overall pooled EuroMOMO estimates of all-cause excess mortality in all age groups for the participating European countries have shown elevated mortality in all age groups for late 2022/early 2023.
Separately, Eurostat publishes monthly estimates of excess mortality for EU (and some non-EU) countries. This data only incudes excess mortality estimates from January 2020 onwards. Eurostat use the following methodology, ‘The excess mortality indicator simply takes the number of people who died from any cause, in a given period, and compares it with a historical baseline from previous years in a period which was not affected by the pandemic. In this case, the baseline consists of the average number of deaths that occurred in each month during the period 2016-2019’.
The methodology does not require a statistically significant difference to report excess deaths. As noted above, it also does not take account of factors such as demographic change.
The 22% increase in the population aged 65 years and older in Ireland between 2016 and 2022, was more than double the 10% increase which occurred for the EU27 over the same period. For the 75-84 years age category the difference was greater, with a 3% increase across the EU27 compared with a 28% increase in Ireland. The extent of the demographic changes in Ireland between the baseline period (2016-2019) and the current year (2023) reduces the value of comparing current deaths with deaths in 2016-2019.
In relation to Ireland, it is also important to note that data from 2020 onwards is based on data provided by the CSO based on a web-scraped series from rip.ie. The comparison baseline (2016-2019) is built using official data on registered deaths. Caution is required in interpreting this indicator.
The latest data published by Eurostat (published 15 September 2023 ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Excess_mortality_-_statistics), refers to deaths in June 2023. Based on the Eurostat methodology, it is estimated that Ireland experienced 13.7% additional deaths in August and has experienced additional deaths every month for the past 12 months (data attached). This means the number of deaths in each month was higher than the average number of deaths in that same month during the years 2016-2019. It does not account for population growth, ageing or other factors impacting on long-term mortality trends.
Eurostat Estimated Excess Mortality by Month
The Department of Health is actively monitoring and reviewing all available data on mortality as it becomes available to gain a better insight on the underlying mortality trends and factors influencing these. The Department supports the clear national commitment to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular with a view to ensuring the State’s preparedness for future public health threats.
288. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person in County Meath (details supplied) will receive an appointment with a consultant psychiatrist at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42035/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
289. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to arrange for the publication of the review of spinal surgeries in Crumlin Hospital, which has been completed for some time; to commit to publishing that review during the week commencing 25 September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42039/23]
View answerReferred to HSE for direct response.
290. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the development of the national diabetes registry, which received funding in Budget 2023; the status of the project manager post; the timeline for the recruitment of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42041/23]
View answerAs part of Budget 2023, €2.6 million was allocated to implement a number of initiatives aimed at improving diabetes care, including commencing the development of a National Diabetes Registry, the commencement of a National Paediatric Audit of Type 1 Diabetes, and two further initiatives related to gestational diabetes. These initiatives focus on improving our information on diabetes patients and health services and improving the provision of care for women with gestational diabetes.
The development of a National Diabetes Registry will have a long-term benefit on patient care by facilitating benchmarking of individual care against guideline recommendations and QI feedback to practitioners, and on the provision of appropriate health services by providing reliable information to healthcare planners and policymakers.
My Department and HSE National Clinical Programme for Diabetes are currently engaged in preparatory work for phase 1 of this multi-year project. I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible in relation to the recruitment status for the project manager post.
291. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of CAMHS appointments provided in each local health office area in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42044/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
292. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of psychology appointments in primary care provided in each local health office area in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42045/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
293. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of ophthalmology appointments in primary care provided in each local health office area in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42046/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
294. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a school dental check-up will take place in the case of a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42097/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
295. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he can explain the ongoing delay in the rollout of professorships in the technological universities; if he will provide a timeline on when this will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41921/23]
View answerTechnological Universities have been established to create a step-change in the delivery of higher-level skills, new knowledge creation, venture start-ups and collaborative innovation support for enterprise; and hence to meaningfully expand the higher education sector’s contribution to regional development. To support the post-establishment development of TUs, the Higher Education Authority and my Department commissioned the OECD to conduct a review of academic career paths, contracts, and organisation design in TUs. I brought this report to Cabinet in December 2022, and it was subsequently published. The report highlights a range of complex interconnected issues for consideration. These include the academic year basis of contracts, workload defined in terms of instructional hours without systemised recognition of research or engagement, instructional models out of step with international peers, the absence of professorial ranks, and the balance between academic staff and professional, management and support staff. I am committed to introducing professorship grades into Technological Universities, however it is important that this is done in a considered way, working through the complex range of interconnected issues. Officials in my Department are working closely with representatives of the technological universities and other stakeholders in progressing these issues.
296. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the executive board structure for each of the technological universities will be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41922/23]
View answerAn appropriate senior management team structure is a critical enabler to support Technological Universities deliver on their legislatively prescribed mandate. The Higher Education Authority and my Department commissioned the OECD to conduct a review of academic career paths, contracts, and organisation design in TUs. I brought this report to Cabinet in December 2022, and it was subsequently published. The report makes recommendations as to the broad parameters within which TU senior management team structures should fit, while also recognising the need to facilitate institutional-level variations to reflect specific regional requirements of individual institutions. Following their establishment, I understand that each TU has undertaken, or is in the advanced stages of undertaking, an organisational design exercise to determine its optimum senior management team structure. Section 14(1) of the Technological Universities Act 2018 provides for TUs to appoint staff with the consent of the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery, and Reform. Sanction was granted in July 2021 for senior executive posts within TU Dublin. A business case in relation to the MTU senior management team, endorsed by my Department, has been under consideration by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery, and Reform since December 2022. My officials have been engaging closely with colleagues in that Department to agree a shared position, having regard to the needs of the institution and sector and within the context of overall public sector resourcing policy.
297. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, following on from his comments made on 21 September 2023, he can outline the criteria which technological universities must satisfy in order to be deemed off balance sheet for the purposes of borrowing for student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41923/23]
View answerIn November 2022, I received Government approval of €1 million to support our Technological Universities (TUs) in the development of a feasibility study to ascertain student accommodation needs on a local, regional and national level. This study will include data analysis and engagement with local authorities and other key stakeholders to determine the level and potential sources of student accommodation together with the corresponding supply and demand in each region.
Department officials and I have had continuous engagement with the sector in relation to the feasibility study. On the 22nd of June I announced the commencement of phase one of this study as part of the Governments’ commitment to support TUs in the development of their student accommodation strategies. My Department and I recognise that given the varying regional locations, a range of accommodation options will need to be considered including purpose built student accommodation, the promotion of digs accommodation and the identification and reuse of vacant premises.
Enabling appropriate access to finance is one of the significant requirements for the delivery by higher education institutions (HEIs) of student accommodation. The Department is exploring the development of a specific TU borrowing framework with Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform alongside a range of mechanisms for the delivery of accommodation for students. The options arising from the TU feasibility study will inform this ongoing engagement. It is anticipated that any borrowing framework would in the first instance prioritise the provision of student accommodation in line with commitments in the Government's Housing for All plan.
In December 2021 the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage confirmed that his Department had reviewed the Housing Finance Agency Act 1981 (as amended) and was satisfied that the legislation in place was robust enough to allow the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) to also lend, in addition to universities designated under the Universities Act 1997, to TUs, Institutes of Technology and other institutions encompassed by the definition of “Institutes of Higher Education” in the Higher Education Authority Act 1971, where such borrowing is in respect of the provision of housing accommodation for students.
This provision was further strengthened under Section 130 of the Higher Education Authority Bill (as amended) by copper-fastening and broadening the type of institution to which the HFA can lend to with relevant consents, including other education institutions not designated under the remit of the HEA but who are in receipt of core funding through the public system.
Institutions, other than traditional universities, would firstly require consent to borrow following consultation with the Higher Education Authority. This will necessitate the establishment of an appropriate framework setting out the criteria, financial and non-financial, including governance, oversight and reporting to define the operational process through which such consent would be sought and obtained. Having passed those primary screening tests the prospective borrowing entity would then be required to pass the relevant tests, procedures and requirements of the HFA before accessing borrowing funds.
The impacts, risks and responsibilities arising from such borrowing are key considerations in this context. In addition to accessing borrowing on commercially viable and appropriate terms such as would not adversely impact the financial position of TUs themselves or the wider public finances, as stated requisite oversight, risk evaluation, project management and attendant governance and regulatory processes would also need to be established. I am confident that there will, as appropriate, be robust and adequate systems in place to ensure any proposed borrowing is rigorously examined to protect both Exchequer funding and HEIs themselves.
The decision on balance sheet classification of Technological Universities (TUs) is determined by Eurostat following review by the Central Statistics Office. This involves a detailed assessment of the relationship between the sector and government including the level of control of the governance and decision-making arrangements. In the case of the TUs, the principal piece of legislation is the Technological Universities Act 2018. The Technological University Sector (and formally the IOT sector) is classified as on Government balance sheet currently.
298. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the concessions made on the student registration fee and the bonus payment on maintenance have been continued into the new academic year; if so, if he will indicate on what terms the concessions are available in the academic year 2023/2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41974/23]
View answerThe Government and my Department is committed to reducing the cost of college for students and their families and a number of measures were introduced in Budget 2023 benefiting thousands of students.
In advance of Budget 2024 this autumn, and as I did last year, I published an options paper on 21st August 2023 which sets out for the Government's consideration, various options to the cost of education for families and students. This paper identifies costs and potential impacts of options and is published without prejudice to eventual Government decisions.
This options paper has been expanded this year to include options on cost reduction across Further & Higher Education, Research and Apprenticeships. Costings outlined in the paper include:- improvements to supports under the Student Grant Scheme; student contribution reduction methods; additional supports for students attending Further Education, measures to reduce apprenticeship fees and increases to stipends/scholarships for PHD students.
As the Deputy will appreciate the estimates process is ongoing and while I cannot at this point pre-empt the budgetary process I can confirm I will be examining all the levers I have to address the cost of education in a way that has impact for students and families and that applies broadly and fairly across society.
299. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the assessment of all CLÁR applications; and when she expects to announce the funding. [41998/23]
View answer301. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will approve a CLÁR application for four groups (details supplied). [42000/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 299 and 301 together.
The CLÁR programme provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported over 2,100 projects with funding of over €59 million. This funding is making a real difference in many of our smaller and more remote communities.
I launched the 2023 programme in March this year. Funding of almost €8 million has been allocated for the 2023 CLÁR programme which is an increase of €0.5m on 2022.
Measure 1 of the programme will support the development of community facilities and amenities including sports facilities, youth clubs, playgrounds, sensory gardens and walking tracks.
Measure 2 supports voluntary groups that provide free transport to people receiving cancer care and other treatment. I was pleased last month to announce the approval of funding of over €2million for 37 projects under Measure 2.
The third and final measure is designed to support offshore island communities with funding for community transport and amenity projects.
In relation to the specific groups referenced by the Deputy, my Department did not receive an application from Streamstown TidyTowns under CLÁR 2023. However, I can confirm that applications have been received from Rosemount Community Committee, Rosemount GAA Club and St Owens/Market Hill under measure 1 of the programme. The assessment process is well advanced in relation to measures 1 and 3 of the programme. I expect to be in a position to make a decision on the successful measure 1 and 3 projects in the coming weeks.
300. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the assessment of all town-and-village scheme applications; and when she expects to announce the funding. [41999/23]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme over €156 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects across Ireland. The Scheme has supported towns and villages the length and breadth of the country.
TVRS is a key driver of the national Rural Development Policy, Our Rural Future, and the Town Centre First Policy. In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, TVRS priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to support vibrant and attractive communities and to respond to changing needs and opportunities.
This year's Scheme has a renewed focus on town centre economic and social vibrancy and regeneration. This will be achieved through projects focusing on town centre regeneration, enhancing our streetscapes and bringing vacant and derelict buildings back into use as community multi-purpose spaces through refurbishment and renovation.
The Scheme is currently open and the closing date for receipt of applications from Local Authorities to the Department is close of business on 10 November 2023.
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 authority, and the geographical spread of projects. It is expected that successful projects will be announced in Quarter 1 of 2024.
