Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 November 2019
519. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when applications under the rural regeneration and development fund will next be approved; the number of applications received to date; if an application (details supplied) will be considered as part of this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46567/19]
View answerUnder Project Ireland 2040, the Government has committed €1 billion to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and help build strong communities. The Fund has been allocated €315m over the period 2019 to 2022.
The second call for Category 1 applications for the Fund, relating to capital projects which are fully planning and consent compliant and are ready to commence, closed on the 6th August. There was an excellent response from all across the country, with my Department receiving 69 applications for funding.
On November 6th in New Ross. Co. Wexford, I announced the final outcome of the second call, identifying details of 26 successful projects. The successful projects have been allocated €62m in support from the Fund and will deliver a total investment of €95m.
Since the establishment of the Fund, I have now approved investment from the Fund totalling €148 million for 110 projects located across every county in Ireland. The total value of the 110 projects approved under the Fund now stands at €212m.
The focus of the second call centred upon rural town and village regeneration and many of the successful projects closely reflected this vital objective. I am confident that they will deliver a significant impact in rural areas for years to come.
Unfortunately, the particular application referred to by the Deputy was unsuccessful on this occasion. However, my Department will keep all stakeholders informed of future calls under the Fund and, in respect of the now concluded second call for Category 1 applications, will be scheduling a formal feedback session to assist applicants to prepare for future calls. I also expect that a second call for Category 2 applications - projects which require development support to become ready for Category 1 status - will be announced by the end of this year.
