Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
380. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of project works associated with a project (details supplied) following funding of €2.5 million awarded in March 2021 to finance detailed design, planning and essential enabling works to existing buildings. [37044/22]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched in 2018 to support more compact and sustainable development. The Fund is providing part-funding for applicant-led projects that will enable a greater proportion of residential and mixed-use development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns, while also ensuring that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit. Through the URDF, successful applicants are receiving targeted integrated support for innovative holistic solutions to the issues that have hindered the regeneration and rejuvenation of our large towns and cities.
With regard to the proposal in question, in March 2021, I announced a provisional URDF allocation of €2,500,000 in respect of Mayo County Council’s proposal for the Project.
This is in addition to the €141,391 allocated to Mayo County Council under Call 1 for the now completed project master planning and design works required for this multi-phase project.
The Preliminary Business Case for the Project is currently being reviewed by my Department.
In this regard, it should be noted that all URDF supported projects must be carefully developed and managed by the Sponsoring Agency, in this case Mayo County Council, in accordance with the normal conditions and arrangements that apply to public sector managed projects including, exercising appropriate cost control and delivering projects as approved, and in full compliance with the Public Spending Code.
While my Department works closely and communicates regularly with Mayo County Council in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of these URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for Mayo County Council.
