Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020
287. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to launch the next call of the urban regeneration and development fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42016/20]
View answerThere have been two calls for proposals under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, which was launched in 2018. The URDF is providing part-funding for applicant-led projects that will enable a greater proportion of residential and mixed-use development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns, while also ensuring that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit.
In 2019 approval in principle and provisional funding allocations issued in respect of 87 major projects across the country which were approved under Call 1. The URDF supported capital programme has been very well received, and already the URDF is providing assistance for this pipeline of major projects that will contribute to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns.
Under Call 2 of the URDF, which was launched earlier this year, 76 proposals were received, with every local authority submitting at least one application.
Many of the proposals are of significant scale and complexity and require careful assessment. This assessment process is in train at present, and I intend to soon announce a new tranche of approved projects, which will augment the existing pipeline of projects from Call 1 and contribute to the achievement of Programme for Government commitments and the objectives of the National Planning Framework and Project Ireland 2040.
Pending the conclusion of the assessment of applications for the second call, planning for a third call has not yet commenced.
