On the agreement of Members, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Callaghan suspended standing orders to deal with this item earlier than planned in the schedule, as Cllr. Keogh, Chairperson of the Economic Development & Enterprise Regeneration SPC, was unable to remain for the full meeting.

Cllr. Keogh outlined that as part of Budget 2026, Roscommon County Council decided to include a €75,000 fund, linked to the Municipal District Fund in the General Municipal Allocation, to support small, high?impact town and village initiatives that prioritises deliverability, community benefit, and strategic alignment.

The fund will provide:

• €25,000 per Municipal District (MD) for 2026. Fund amount to be determined annually through the adopted Annual Budget.
• Funding may support (a) project development measures (e.g., design, feasibility, consents), or (b) match funding to strengthen applications to larger programmes.
• Up to three projects per MD per year will be funded. Funding in any one year is no guarantee of future funding or funding application.
• Projects will be located outside of the main towns (Ballaghaderreen, Boyle, Castlerea, Monksland, Strokestown, Roscommon)

The Draft TVR Micro Fund Scheme was brought to the Economic Development, Enterprise & Regeneration SPC on Monday 16^th February 2026 for consideration where the Town Regeneration Officer gave a presentation on the Scheme.

The SPC considered the draft scheme, decided on some amendments and agreed to recommend the adoption of the amended TVR Micro Fund Scheme. Cllr. Keogh formally proposed its adoption.

Members raised the following matters:

·         Clarification was sought on whether an applicant receiving funding in one year would be excluded from applying the following year, and Members expressed the hope that this would not be the case.

·         Clarification was sought regarding the eligibility of multi?phase projects.

·         Concerns were raised regarding the use of a fixed closing date, with a suggestion that a floating or flexible deadline could prevent delays or exclusion of groups not yet ready to submit.

·         A preference was expressed for rolling applications, with reviews every two months, to allow projects in MDs with no submissions by the deadline to be considered without delay.

·         Concerns were expressed that some groups may not be ready to apply.

·         Members noted that this is the first year of the fund and that learning and adjustments will be required as the scheme progresses.

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Callaghan proposed that projects not allocated funding in the first year should be eligible to reapply in the second year, even if works have commenced.

Director of Services, Mark Keaveney, advised that a floating closing date could be explored, which would result in applications being assessed on a first?come, first?served basis. He confirmed that multi?phase projects would be eligible provided that funding is not sought for the same phase in multiple years. He further clarified that applications may be made in subsequent years; however, approval is not guaranteed, regardless of previous years’ outcomes. He noted that, as this is a new scheme, learning will occur as it is implemented. He stated that decisions would be made on applications submitted and that deadlines could be extended if required.

Further discussion included:

• Agreement that the priority is to launch the scheme, with any operational issues to be reviewed by the SPC as necessary.
• Recognition that deadlines may be extended but that submissions should be avoided once available funding is allocated.
• Clarification sought on whether the maximum of three projects per MD would apply if funding was carried over to the following year.

Mr. Keaveney advised that unallocated funding could be reviewed if no applications are received. Cllr. Keogh confirmed that unspent funding would roll forward and would not be lost. He noted that funding levels are based on the 2026 Budget and may vary in future years. He reiterated that funding is available for up to three projects per MD, though fewer may be approved depending on applications received. He added that a review could be undertaken after the first year should any funding remain unallocated.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

SECONDED by Cllr. Conboy

It was AGREED to adopt the Municipal District Town & Village Micro-Fund subject to the amendment that the application deadline may be extended where no applications had been received by the specific date.