Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1864. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is aware of an alleged €3.5 million euro deficit in the Barrow Blue Ways Fund, as per Kildare County Council Oireachtas AGM 8 December /2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2069/24]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland. Funding is allocated to Local Authorities and other State-funded bodies.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 RRDF funding of €414 million for projects costing €567 million. The fifth call for Category 1 projects is currently open for applications and closes on the 8th of February 2024. The Deputy will be aware that I only recently approved additional funding of €2.5m for Kildare County Council so that they can proceed with construction work at a separate RRDF project in the county to develop the Shackleton Museum. The Deputy will be aware that I only recently approved additional funding of €2.5m for Kildare County Council so that they can proceed with construction work at a separate RRDF project in the county to develop the Shackleton Museum. The Barrow Blueway project was approved for funding of €5,067,941 from the second call for Category 1 applications to the RRDF. The cost of the project was €6,757,254. The project is led by Kildare County Council.The project aims to create a community recreation resource and develop a tourism facility of regional, national and international importance and will act as an economic driver for the area.Following a tender process for road crossing works and pedestrian bridge, a funding shortfall of €3,436,000 has been identified by Kildare County Council. The Council has sought additional RRDF funding of €2,577,000 towards this shortfall.My officials have engaged extensively with Kildare County Council in relation to this project. Our shared objective is to ensure the delivery of a high quality and value for money project for the local community. With this in mind, and given the fundamental and substantial changes to the scope and costing of this project my officials have advised Kildare County Council that consideration should be given to reapplying for funding for the revised scope of the project under the current round of Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
