Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has announced a new €13m Fund designed to tackle vacancy and dereliction in rural Ireland.
Under the initiative, each local authority 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 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.
In opening the call for applications the local Minister encouraged councils to work with communities in pinpointing buildings that are suffering from vacancy and dereliction.
