Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021
339. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount sanctioned under the rural regeneration and development fund since its inception in 2019; the amount paid out under this scheme to date; the value of the applications on hand that are still being examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37028/21]
View answer340. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount in the 2021 estimate for expenditure out of the rural regeneration and development fund including any carry-over from 2020; the amount spent to date in 2021 out of the fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37029/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 340 together.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) forms part of the wider rural regeneration and development programme which also includes the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
In terms of both RRDF Category 1 (Major Projects) and Category 2 (Seed Funding), funding of €249 million has been approved to date for 164 projects worth a total of €338 million. The total spend to date in relation to these projects is €70.74 million.
The 2021 allocation for the RRDF is €55 million. There is also a carry forward of €11.78 million which can be utilised across the wider programme area depending on demand. €2.46 million has been spent to date in 2021.
Significant delays in the delivery of projects funded through the RRDF and other schemes have been experienced due to the pandemic and its effects on the construction sector. However, with construction now fully underway it is expected that strong progress will be achieved on projects for the remainder of the year and, consequently, drawdown by lead parties will accelerate significantly.
The third call for Category 1 applications was completed in April 2021, with 25 projects emerging as successful and funding of €81 million allocated.
I announced the third call for Category 2 applications in May 2021. The closing date for applications is 30th July 2021 at 12 pm. An application and guidance document is available on my Department's website.
There are currently no applications awaiting consideration.
