Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 December 2019
79. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if funding will be considered for a second bridge into Newbridge, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46783/19]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is a flagship element of Project Ireland 2040. Under the stewardship of my Department, the Fund was established in 2018 to support more compact and sustainable development, through the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and National Development Plan (NDP).
In July 2018, bids for URDF funding support were invited from public bodies. The application process was competitive and in the event, out of a total of 189 applications received by my Department, 88 proposals were approved for URDF support.
As part of this first call, Kildare County Council submitted 7 proposals and was awarded URDF support for 4 of these. One of the Council’s unsuccessful proposals related to a link road from Great Connell Road to Athgarvan Road in Newbridge.
A second call for proposals under the URDF will be announced shortly.
In the context of the second call it will be a matter for Kildare County Council to consider the projects it may wish to submit for consideration. In that regard, and taking account of the assessment of its previous proposal, the Council can, of course consider again submitting the Newbridge Link Road as part of a broader integrated urban development proposal.
