Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
104. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of a Rural Regeneration and Development Fund application in respect of Killorglin, County Kerry; her views on the importance that this funding would mean for the town and the mid-Kerry area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60152/21]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. To date, €255million has been approved to date for 164 projects worth a total of €347 million.
Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications
The third call for Category 2 applications to the Fund closed on 30th July 2021. My Department received 53 applications to this call and I understand that an application was received for the project referred to by the Deputy.
The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature. The assessment of applications has now been completed, a process undertaken by my Department under the oversight of the Project Advisory Board. A report has been forwarded to me setting out recommended projects and my role as Minister will be to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding. I expect to announce the successful projects over the coming days.
