The majority of capital expenditure within my Department takes place within the Rural Development function of my Department, with the Community Development aspect of the Department accounting for the majority of current expenditure.
The revised estimate for 2021 provides a total gross capital allocation of €168.6 million for the Department, of which €151 million is allocated to Rural Development. The Department does not deliver these capital projects directly, rather grant funds are provided, mainly to Local Authorities and State Agencies, to deliver projects under specific schemes. The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is the funding area under which the most significant projects are undertaken and the 5 largest projects grant aided by the Department are within this area. These are listed below.
With regard to projects delivered under the RRDF, there is a multi-stage approval process in place. Projects are assessed by my Department under the oversight of the Project Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and independent experts. Once the assessment process is complete, my Department prepares a report setting out recommended projects and my role as Minister is to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding.
Projects announced for funding undergo a due diligence process, and on completion, projects are approved in principle, with full approval taking place once the project has proceeded through the procurement process. The table below details the date the Department gave approval in principle, the current status of the project and, in instances where the project has completed procurement, the date of full approval is provided. In line with the public spending code, it is the delivery body, as approving/sanctioning authority, who have ultimate responsibility for each project.
Table of Projects