Under the initiative, local authorities across the country can apply for funding of up to €500,000 which they can use to purchase up to three properties to re-develop into multi-purpose community facilities.

The funding, under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, “is designed to make our 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 use.

In opening the call for applications today, Minister Heather Humphreys encouraged councils to work with communities to identify buildings suffering from vacancy and dereliction.

Minister Humphreys called the said the new fund is a “huge opportunity for us all to work together in tackling the scourge of dereliction and transforming old run-down buildings into facilities that will benefit communities for generations to come.”

Applications under the Building Acquisition Measure must be submitted by 28th April 2023.