Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 April 2019
73. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund could be used to fund the capital works necessary to open Killucan station on the Dublin to Sligo line in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15199/19]
View answerIt would not be appropriate for me to give a view at this time on the merits or otherwise of any individual project which may seek funding in the future.
I am considering what the focus of the second call for funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund should be and I hope to make an announcement on this shortly. In advance of any announcement I am carefully considering the feedback received on the first call for funding.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is there to support ambitious and strategic projects which have the potential to transform rural economies and communities. The Government has committed €1 billion over 10 years to the Fund.
The first call for proposals led to funding countrywide of €86 million. Full details on all the requirements which projects seeking funding under this first call had to meet can be found on my Departments web-site.
It is worth noting that calls under the Fund are determined on a competitive basis and not all projects which meet the requirements may be funded.
In that regard, all applications to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund undergo a comprehensive evaluation process. This involves assessment by my Department and oversight by a Project Advisory Board, established to make recommendations on the suitability of applications for funding.
In relation to your question therefore I cannot comment on individual projects or be prescriptive at this stage on what the requirements of the next call will be. I do not expect the overall objectives of the Fund to change however and it will be up to applicants to show in their applications how they meet all the requirements and objectives of the Fund.
