Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 July 2021
497. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the expenditure to date under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund; the extent to which the fund has attracted local indigenous support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38974/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra498. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of participants currently benefitting from or likely to benefit from awards made by her Department under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38975/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra502. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to build on the success of her rural regeneration plans in all areas throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38980/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 497, 498 and 502 together.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) forms part of the wider rural regeneration and development programme which also includes the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
In terms of both RRDF Category 1 (Major Projects) and Category 2 (Seed Funding), funding of €249 million has been approved to date for 164 projects worth a total of €338 million. The total spend to date in relation to these projects is €70.74 million.
The projects supported by the RRDF are coordinated and integrated projects which involve co-operation between public bodies and communities, philanthropic funders or the private sector. The recently completed third call for Category 1 projects provided funding up to a maximum of 90% of the total project cost with at least 10% provided in matching contributions by the applicants. Matched funding may be in the form of a combination of wider Exchequer and/or State sector expenditure, Local Authority investment and/or land, community investment, philanthropic contributions, private sector investment (where appropriate), or other asset contributions. Match funding of €89 million has been committed to RRDF projects to date, bringing the total investment in rural towns and villages to €338 million.
The projects funded under the RRDF are key to delivering on the objectives of Our Rural Future – the Governments five year strategy to revitalise rural Ireland. The most recent announcement in relation to the Fund was the completion of the third call for Category 1 applications in April 2021, with 25 projects emerging as successful and funding of €81 million allocated. These large scale ambitious projects will deliver local and regional benefits, supporting sustainable communities, economic development and job creation. I announced the third call for Category 2 applications in May 2021. The closing date for applications is the 30th July 2021 at 12 pm. An application and guidance document is available on my Department's website.
