Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
912. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the mechanisms in place to assist local authorities, including Mayo County Council, in preparing a detailed project brief and procurement strategy for its successful URDF-supported projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38447/23]
View answer913. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what support structures are established by his Department to aid local authorities in navigating decision gates when delivering large capital URDF funding; if there are workshops, training sessions, or expert consultations available to guide local authorities; and if Mayo County Council has availed of this support. [38448/23]
View answer914. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is allocating additional funds or resources for technical assistance to expedite the advancement of projects under the URDF, specifically the URDF funding; and if so, how local authorities can avail of these resources. [38449/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 912 to 914, inclusive, together.
In line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is currently providing part-funding to applicant-led projects, enabling more compact and sustainable development within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns.
To this end, the URDF has already provisionally allocated in excess of €1.6 billion under two separate calls for proposals since its inception in 2018. Providing assistance to 132 proposals, comprising of almost 400 subprojects, URDF projects are now active in every local authority area in the Country.
All URDF projects are required to adhere to the decisions gates outlined in the Public Spending Code (PSC). Most Local Authorities have already successfully progressed at least one URDF project through to the latter stages of the PSC. URDF staff have worked closely with their Local Authority colleagues throughout each of these projects and provided guidance on requirements for each step of the PSC, both in regular discussions and detailed as next steps in decision gate approval letters issued to Local Authorities.
The URDF team within my Department are always available to discuss queries and provide support. During the development of the previous two calls for project proposals, the URDF facilitated workshops attended by each Local Authority to provide in depth guidance and receive feedback before the calls were formalised. This practice will continue for future calls.
Local Authorities have huge experience in managing capital projects and with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF). URDF projects have been completed and are being progressed right across the Country. An example of this within Mayo County Council can be seen in the successful progression of the Ballina Innovation Quarter URDF project which is nearing completion.
The URDF team in my Department are currently working with Local Authorities to assess the technical and administrative resources required to progress URDF projects in a timely manner and remain available to provide support and guidance to local authorities as required.
