Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2756. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the West Gate Vision document produced by Louth County Council; if an application has been made by Louth County Council to access funding for the development of the plan; the amount of funding available for urban renewal and regeneration in the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34906/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of the document referred to and its advancement is a matter for the relevant local authority, in this instance Louth County Council, to consider, including considering whether to put forward an application for funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF).
On 9 July 2018, I launched the above Fund as part of Project Ireland 2040 to support the compact growth and sustainable development of Ireland’s five cities, regional drivers and other large urban centres. The URDF is designed to leverage a greater proportion of residential and commercial development, supported by infrastructure, services and amenities, within the existing built-up areas of our larger urban settlements.
My Department has responsibility for implementing the URDF, which has an allocation of €2 billion over the 10-year period of the National Development Plan to 2027, with €100 million available for expenditure in 2019 and an overall Exchequer allocation of €550 million earmarked for the Fund up to the end of 2022.
The first call for proposals under the URDF is now open and will run until 28 September. My Department has not as yet received any applications for funding. Proposals, including transport and services infrastructure, are invited under this Fund, which will operate on a competitive, bid-based Exchequer grant basis, with proposals being required to demonstrate that they will be:
- Innovative and transformational urban regeneration projects;
- Public-sector led and with the option of community and/or private sector partners;
- Matched by at least 25% direct funding from other public and/or private sources;
- Based on a minimum bid of €2m;
- A catalyst for development that would not otherwise occur; and
- Likely to leverage significant further public and private sector investment.
Detailed information on the URDF and the application process can be viewed at the following links: www.gov.ie/urdf and www.npf.ie.
I would encourage relevant sectors to adopt a collaborative approach to ensure that the potential of this fund can be maximised and I look forward to seeing many innovative and ambitious proposals submitted for consideration under this initial call for proposals by the September deadline.
