The Town Centre First Policy, was launched on 4 February 2022, it is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres.
It advocates for a holistic, place-based approach to sustainable rural development. Irish towns are facing significant challenges and opportunities that require a coordinated and comprehensive response.
Town Centre First (TCF) recognises that every town is unique and the policy will facilitate the response by towns of all sizes across the country so that their centres can function as the sustainable and vibrant heart of the communities they serve, in ways that are adaptable and appropriate to 21st century needs.
The documents below outlines the national policy approach to the revival of Town Centre, in line with Our Rural Future – Rural Development Policy 2021 – 2025 and Town Centre First – A policy Approach to Irish Towns.
The Town Centre First process is a bottom up approach, led by the Town Team. Town Teams should comprise of representatives of local residents, business people, community/voluntary groups, youth representatives, and other stakeholders who come together with the support of the Local Authority through the dedicated Town Regeneration Officer to develop a Town Centre First Plan and follow through with identified actions to make their area a better place to live, work and visit.
In December 2021, Minister Humphreys announced €2.6m in funding for 26 towns to develop Town Centre First Plans. These 26 towns were nominated by Local Authorities and approved by the Minister. Under this pilot, Abbeyfeale was the Town Centre First Town identified for Limerick.
The Department launched a new Town Centre First Suite of Supports in February 2024, which included funding to support the formulation of a second Town Centre First Plan for Limerick, with the town identified as Rathkeale, Co. Limerick and the formulation of Town Teams for Newcastle West, Kilmallock and Askeaton.
