Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022
921. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the up-to-date position regarding the drawdown of funding from her Department granted under The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the town and village renewal scheme in respect of Cahersiveen, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9626/22]
View answer922. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the up-to-date position regarding the drawdown of funding from her Department granted under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the town and village renewal scheme in respect of Killorglin, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9627/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 921 and 922 together.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. The Fund has, to date, allocated funding of €277 million for 191 projects across the country worth a total of €375 million.
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 the towns referred to by the Deputy, the Cahersiveen Town Centre Regeneration project led by Kerry County Council was allocated funding of €2,056,380 under the second call for Category 2 applications in 2020. €56,485 of this funding has been drawn down to date. The Killorglin Town Centre SMART Rural Regeneration project, also led by Kerry County Council, was allocated funding of €961,800 under the third call for Category 2 applications in January 2022. No funding has been drawn down to date in respect of this project.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) aims to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work, and visit.
Details of TVRS projects funded in Killorglin and Cahersiveen and drawdowns of funding are set out in the table below.
|
Town/Village |
Scheme |
Project Description |
Funding Awarded |
Amount drawdown |
Final drawdown date |
|
Caherciveen |
TVRS 2017 |
The provision of IT equipment for a higher education programme and market research into establishing a higher education satellite campus. |
€80,000 |
€80,000 |
15/07/2019 |
|
Killorglin |
TVRS 2017 |
To establish “The Adventure Gateway” to celebrate Mid-Kerry as a world class outdoor adventure destination, with Killorglin, its main urban centre, as its gateway. |
€64,480 |
€64,480 |
15/10/2018 |
|
Killorglin |
TVRS 2018 |
Streetscape enhancement; study of the usage of vacant properties; and public realm improvements. |
€64,000 |
€55,629 |
31/05/2021 |
|
Killorglin |
TVRS 2020 (Accelerated Measure) |
Upgrade of car park and surrounding area at Killorglin Community Sports Centre. |
€25,000 |
€23,800 |
21/05/2021 (Notification of completion) |
