Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 December 2018
289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the adjudication process regarding applications for the rural regeneration development fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51101/18]
View answerThe first call for applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed at the end of September. €1 billion is committed to the Fund over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and help build strong communities.
There was an excellent response to the first call, with nearly 300 applications received. Applications for the Fund are currently being examined by the Project Advisory Board, made up of representatives from key Government Departments and external experts, which was established to oversee the assessment process. Category 1 "shovel ready" projects have been prioritised in the assessment process and Category 2 projects - those which need development funding to become potential Category 1 applications in future calls for applications - will be considered at a later date.
I announced the first set of successful Category 1 projects for funding on the 23rd November 2018.
The announcement on the 23rd November was just the beginning of the process and further announcements of successful Category 1 and Category 2 projects will take place early in 2019 with a further call for the Fund taking place in mid-2019.
