Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
987. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the capital funding opportunities that exist within her Department for an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5545/21]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme. I understand that a specific allocation of Tusla's funding in 2021, including in respect of family support services, will be finalised in Tusla’s Business Plan for 2021 which is currently in development.
Funding may be available through the LEADER Transitional Programme for the type of project referred to by the Deputy. The Transitional Programme which will cover the period 2021-2022 and will come into effect on the 1 April 2021 for new project applications. Due to delays at European level, the next EU Programme will not commence until January 2023. The programme will continue to be delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country.
Funding is provided under a broad range of themes, including enterprise development and social inclusion. Under the Transitional LEADER Programme particular emphasis will be placed on communities that have not previously benefited from LEADER funding. In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the LAG which administers the programme in each LEADER area. Interested applicants should, in the first instance, contact the relevant LAG through its Implementing Partner to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available.
The Implementing Partner for the area of Mayo referred to by the Deputy is Mayo North East LEADER Partnership, Lower Main Street, Foxford, Co. Mayo. (Email: info@mayonortheast.com)
If the project is part of a larger regeneration proposal in the community, then the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund may be suitable. The Fund provides investment in ambitious and strategic projects to support rural renewal, strengthen and build resilience in rural communities and assist in the regeneration of towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000 and outlying areas. The lead party in an application must be a State funded Body.
The Fund seeks applications under two categories. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed. The minimum request from the Fund for Category 1 projects is €500,000. Category 2 relates to detailed project development and enabling initiatives to reach Category 1 readiness. There is no minimum request for funding for Category 2 projects.
The third call for Category 1 applications - relating to projects with all planning and other consents in place and ready to commence works - closed on the 1st December 2020. A further call for Category 2 applications – relating to projects that require further development - will be announced in early 2021.
