Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
76. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a progress update on each project funded under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19134/23]
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.
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.
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
To date, 215 projects have been approved for funding of €395 million for projects costing €542 million.
In relation to projects located in Co. Mayo, to date the Fund has provided over €31.8 million for 17 projects worth a total of €43 million.
The table below sets out the current status of the projects based on the information submitted in the most recent progress reports by the lead parties to my Department.
|
Project Title |
Lead Party |
Call |
Cat |
Project Description |
Cost |
RRDF Funding |
Status |
|
Claremorris Indoor Sports Facility |
Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG |
1 |
1 |
This project involved the construction of a 150x100m Air Dome with a height of 26m in Claremorris. |
€3,000,000.00 |
€2,100,000.00 |
Project Completed |
|
GTeic Hubs |
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
1 |
1 |
The provision and redevelopment of Enterprise/Digital that form part of the gteic Gréasán Digiteach na Gaeltachta project, which is a network of 30 innovation and digital hubs under development by Údarás na Gaeltachta. |
€1,045,406.00 |
€784,055.00 |
Project Completed |
|
Ballinrobe Regeneration |
Mayo County Council |
1 |
1 |
This project will support the strategic regeneration of Ballinrobe through the development of the Market House, upgrade of the library and surrounding grounds, and upgrade of the Bowers Walk area. |
€1,300,000.00 |
€975,000.00 |
Implementation |
|
Digiwest |
Western Development Commission |
1 |
1 |
This project established Rural Digital Working Hubs at 4 sites including one at Swinford, Co. Mayo. |
€214,911.50 |
€161,183.00 |
Project Completed |
|
National Parks |
Dept Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
1 |
1 |
This flagship national project will provide a major upgrade of National Parks and Reserves in a number of locations. |
€1,058,333.33 |
€793,750.00 |
Implementation |
|
National Parks |
Dept Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
1 |
2 |
This will implement the recommendations of the Tourism Interpretative Masterplan for Ireland’s National Parks and Coole Park. |
€445,000.00 |
€333,750.00 |
Implementation |
|
Geopark Development |
Geological Survey Ireland |
1 |
2 |
This project will develop a Geopark in the Joyce Country and Western Lakes area of Galway and Mayo and prepare an application for full UNESCO Global Geopark status for the area. |
€595,883.00 |
€342,137.00 |
Implementation |
|
Cycle Network |
Mayo County Council |
1 |
2 |
This project will progress and develop plans for a cycle network in County Mayo which extends from Leenaun in County Galway to the Sligo county boundary. |
€100,000.00 |
€75,000.00 |
Implementation |
|
Tourism Experiences |
Mayo County Council |
1 |
2 |
This project will develop a plan for a number of standalone tourism experiences between Mayo’s principal existing tourism destinations. |
€200,000.00 |
€150,000.00 |
Implementation |
|
Áras Scéalta an Atlantaigh - Visitor Centre and Tourism Hub |
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
2 |
1 |
This project will develop a major tourism hub in Eachléim on the Erris Peninsula in the North Mayo Gaeltacht. |
€3,685,526.00 |
€2,469,213.00 |
Implementation |
|
Ballintubber Abbey Culture and Heritage Visitor Centre |
Mayo County Council |
2 |
1 |
This project will restore and reconstruct the east wing of Ballintubber Abbey to house a cultural and heritage centre telling the story of the Abbey and Monastic Ireland. |
€4,795,190.00 |
€2,677,352.00 |
Detailed Design |
|
Clew Bay Greenway Project |
Mayo County Council |
2 |
1 |
This project will deliver a 5km extension of the Great Western Greenway between Belclare and Murrisk, Co. Mayo and other infrastructure along the full extent of the Clew Bay route and will provide safe routes from the greenway to nearby points of interest. |
€4,176,000.00 |
€1,924,800.00 |
Detailed Design |
|
Newport Regeneration Project |
Mayo County Council |
2 |
2 |
This proposal will deliver a range of actions to upgrade and stimulate growth in the town. |
€474,352.00 |
€355,764.00 |
Implementation |
|
Ballyhaunis Community Vision |
Mayo County Council |
2 |
2 |
This proposal consists of linked elements to regenerate the town, including the redevelopment of the former convent school to provide a new community hub and the creation of a new public plaza adjoining the hub. |
€180,280.00 |
€135,210.00 |
Implementation |
|
Phase 1 Regeneration of Sisters of Mercy Convent Site and Adjacent Lands |
Mayo County Council |
3 |
1 |
This project will transform the former Sisters of Mercy Convent site and adjacent lands, creating an iconic and welcoming focal point which will include a new Public Library and Community Services Hub. |
€9,198,535.00 |
€8,278,682.00 |
Planning/Procurement |
|
Ballinrobe Community Arts and Amenity Centre - Regeneration of the iconic Valkenburg complex |
South West Mayo Development Company CLG |
4 |
1 |
This project will regenerate a vacant building located on the main street in Ballinrobe to provide a multi-purpose community facility, tourism accommodation, conference and meeting facilities and a café. |
€5,743,000.00 |
€4,594,600.00 |
Phase 1 -Due Diligence |
|
Newport Regeneration |
Mayo County Council |
4 |
1 |
Public realm works will enhance the streetscape in the town centre including dark skies friendly lighting. The demolition of derelict buildings will allow the construction of an Enterprise and Tourism Hub, providing potential for sustainable economic activity and job creation. |
€7,066,342.00 |
€5,653,073.60 |
Phase 2 |
