Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2018
607. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has received an application for aid pursuant to the urban and rural development fund from Westmeath County Council in respect of projects at Kinnegad and Castlepollard, County Westmeath; when a decision will be given thereon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53423/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe first call for applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed at the end of September. €1 billion is committed to the Fund over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and help build strong communities.
There was an excellent response to the first call, with nearly 300 applications received.
Applications for the Fund are currently being examined by the Project Advisory Board, made up of representatives from key Government Departments and external experts, which was established to oversee the assessment process. Category 1 "shovel ready" projects were prioritised in the assessment process in the first instance and Category 2 projects - those which need development funding to become potential Category 1 applications in future calls for applications - are now being considered.
In that regard, I can confirm that my Department received Category 2 applications from Westmeath County Council in respect of projects in Kinnegad and Castlepollard and these will be considered as part of the aforementioned process.
I announced the first set of successful Category 1 projects for funding on the 23rd November 2018 and further announcements of successful Category 1 and Category 2 projects will take place early in 2019. A further call under the Fund will take place later in 2019.
