Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 February 2022
80. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding available in her Department under the Rural Regeneration Fund for 2022; the funding already allocated under this heading to date; when the next round of allocations are expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8751/22]
View answerThe 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.
Calls for applications to the RRDF 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
In terms of both RRDF Category 1 and Category 2, funding of €275 million has been approved to date for 191 projects worth a total of €375 million.
The 2022 allocation for the RRDF Category 1 and Category 2 projects is €60 million. There is also a carry forward of €9 million which can be utilised across the wider programme area depending on demand.
I announced the fourth call for Category 1 applications in December 2021. The closing date for applications is 29th April 2022. An application form and guidance document is available on my Department’s website for those seeking further information. I expect to announce the successful projects from the fourth call before the end of 2022.
