Minister Calleary opens the ‘Building and Land Acquisition Measure’ for applications under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 29 April 2026
- Last updated on: 29 April 2026
- Up to €500,000 available to local authorities to acquire buildings or land for re-development into multi-use community assets
- Local authorities may acquire up to 3 buildings or sites
- Follows on the 2025 Building and Land Acquisition Measure which supported local authorities to acquire 24 properties across the country which will now be developed for community use
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today announced a new call for proposals under the Building and Land Acquisition Measure of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
Minister Calleary said:
“The Building and Land Acquisition Measure is one of a suite of supports that my department has put in place to support local communities in their work to regenerate rural towns and villages and to enhance the vibrancy of rural places.
“I am committed to ensuring that we build on the unprecedented levels of investment that have been put in place in recent years.”
Minister of State Jerry Buttimer noted the opening of the measure:
“This funding represents a real opportunity for local authorities and communities to work together - to transform vacant and underused buildings into vibrant, multi-purpose spaces that meet local needs. By bringing these properties back into active use, we are not only enhancing the physical appearance of our towns and villages, but also creating places where people can connect, collaborate and build stronger communities.”
Funding of up to €13 million is being made available to enable local authorities to acquire vacant and derelict buildings or lands. Under the initiative, local authorities can apply for funding of up to €500,000, which can be used to purchase up to 3 buildings or sites to re-develop into multi-purpose community facilities or infrastructure.
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. Since the launch of the scheme, over €210 million has been allocated to more than 1,900 projects.
This follows on the 2025 Building and Land Acquisition Measure which saw the purchase of former station houses, national schools and town centre sites for future development into useful modern community spaces. Examples include:
- €450,000 to purchase three adjoining derelict-properties in Newcastle West, County Limerick to transform into a multi-purpose youth and community centre and social enterprise facility.
- €250,000 to purchase 'Teach Siamsa na Carraige’, in Baile na nGall in the heart of the West Kerry Gaeltacht, to refurbish and modernise the building as a multi-purpose arts centre. This centre was one of the National Folk Theatre of Ireland's ‘Tithe Siamsa’, built as training feeder centres for local traditional talent through the medium of Irish.
- €100,000 to purchase a town centre greenfield site in Bunclody, County Wexford for development into a park creating a link to the River Slaney and provide the community with public realm facilities.
Details of all the completed projects under the 2025 Building and Land Acquisition Measure can be found here: Town and Village Renewal Scheme Funding Allocations
In opening the 2026 Building and Land Acquisition Measure Call for Proposals today, Minister Calleary encouraged councils to work with communities in pinpointing buildings or land that meet their needs.
Minister Calleary stated:
“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 or lands that have been lying idle for years.
“Given the success of this Building and Land Acquisition measure to date, including the acquisition of 24 properties under the 2025 scheme, I’m delighted to now announce the availability of further funding.
“Today, I’m inviting all eligible local authorities to submit up to 3 buildings or lands for purchase, and we will provide them with funding of up to €500,000 to do so.
“Buildings or lands purchased will be taken into public ownership and, most importantly, will be turned into spaces where the local community can gather and hold events.”
Notes
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is having a transformative effect on towns and villages throughout Ireland and has made an important contribution to supporting vibrant and sustainable communities. Details of the 2026 Building and Land Acquisition Measure can be found here: Town and Village Renewal Scheme