Incentives are to be offered to first time buyers to live in the centre of rural towns, according to the new Rural Development Minister.

In an interview with the Irish Independent Minister Heather Humphreys said it's aimed at getting young couples to live 'on the main street' rather than on the outskirts of provincial towns.

The plans include grants and the re-allocating of retail properties as residential zones.

Minister Humphreys said there are a lot of vacant buildings in rural towns that could be put to better use.