I propose to take Questions Nos. 1620 and 1621 together.
The 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, 215 projects have been approved for funding of €395 million for projects costing €542 million.
The Fund is central to achieving the objectives and key deliverables of "Our Rural Future" – the Government's five year policy for Rural Ireland. The projects supported by the Fund assist in the regeneration of rural towns and villages by addressing vacancy and dereliction, and positioning them for further growth through regeneration and town centre renewal. The Fund also invests in strategic projects that contribute to further economic development in rural areas.
In November 2022, I announced funding of €115 million for 23 projects worth a total of €162 million from the fourth call for Category 1 applications. This is the largest allocation of funding since the RRDF was established. The projects announced will be delivered across two phases
As part of that announcement, I allocated funding of over €30 million in total for three projects led by Tipperary County Council. €14.4 million for the Carrick-on-Suir Regeneration project in Phase 1, €11.9 million for the Activating Cahir’s Town Centre Regeneration project and €4.5 million for the Reimagining and Regeneration Gantly Street in Phase 2.
The projects in Phase 1 can be commenced once the due diligence process is completed with my Department. I am informed by my officials that the RRDF letter of offer and funding agreement will issue for the Carrick-on-Suir Regeneration project shortly.
The projects in Phase 2 will be delivered based on a timeframe to be agreed upon with my Department and Tipperary County Council. The timeframe will be linked to the level of progress achieved on Phase 1 projects and on other existing Rural Regeneration and Development Fund projects currently being progressed by Tipperary County Council.
The scale of this announcement will guarantee that there is a pipeline of ambitious projects that are ready to be delivered over the coming years. My Department will work with the successful lead parties to manage their project pipeline and ensure that approved projects progress at a sustainable pace.
