The Further Revised Estimates 2019 for the Department of Rural and Community Development provided for an adjustment from €55 million to €52 million for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).
Under Project Ireland 2040, the Government has committed €1 billion to the RRDF over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and to help build strong communities. The RRDF is a multiannual programme, with the National Development Plan providing for an allocation of €315 million over the four year period 2019 to 2022.
Whilst each annual allocation remains to be confirmed as part of the annual budgetary process, the €315 million allocation for the period 2019-2022 remains unchanged. Therefore, no projects will be adversely impacted by the re-profiling required in 2019.
In total 84 projects have been allocated funding of €86 million under the first funding call. Together with match funding, this will enable projects worth €117 million to be delivered across the country. I expect to be in a position shortly to launch a second call for applications under the RRDF. The funding allocation remains available to deliver these and future projects over the coming years.