7. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide an update on the town centre first policy; his views on whether it is achieving its stated aims, taking the Dunshaughlin town team as an example; the evidence he would point to that suggests this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52566/26]

Sentiment score: 0.01

I welcome the work of the Dunshaughlin town team, which has produced the town centre first plan that is very comprehensive. I have participated in some of the consultations, and my colleague, Councillor Fionnan Blake, is on the town team. There was tremendous engagement at the launch recently in the pastoral centre, which would say that the level of commitment from the local community, their interest and ambition for their own place is there in absolute spades. People from all different backgrounds, from those who are new to Dunshaughlin to those who have been there a lifetime, contributed to this. The question then is how to turn this into a reality. The vision is there but the question regarding the funding stream will be the next one asked. When is it going to happen?

Sentiment score: 0.23

I appreciate that but I have to say that understandably, the community in Dunshaughlin feels as though there were missed opportunities in the past with regard to our RRDF funding and that a huge amount is riding on the next application. We certainly will be making the case to Meath County Council and to the Minister himself that this funding application be successful, because it is an excellent one. In the wider context, there is a long list of priorities in terms of amenities in the public realm and in other areas such as active travel and transportation. Will the Minister's review of the town centre first policy look at how to integrate the funding streams for towns to ensure all these policy objectives align with one another?

Sentiment score: 0.58

It is not outside my constituency. It is bang in the middle; it is my hometown.

Sentiment score: 0.00

He corrected you there.

Sentiment score: 0.00