Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
2059. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will clarify the full qualifying criteria for the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund and Rural Regeneration and Development Fund within her Department; if towns can apply under both schemes regardless of their size; the way these applications are appraised and prioritised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1853/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage administers the the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.
My Department oversees The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund which provides funding for the development and construction of ambitious capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. The Fund has, to date, through a series of calls allocated funding of €277 million for 191 projects across the country worth a total of €374 million.
The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature and applications can be made by State-funded bodies, such as Local Authorities, state agencies and Local Development Companies etc. Lead parties seeking funding follow published application guidelines and make a case that their proposed project meets the objectives of Our Rural Future, the aims of the National Planning Framework and the achievement of the National Strategic Outcomes.
The starting point for any prospective applicant is therfore careful consideration of the detailed guidance documentation and application form for applications to the Fund which is available on my Department's website. Proposals should be in alignment with the stated focus of the particular call and the objectives of the Fund. The resources of the Fund remain focused upon projects which have the greatest potential for transforming rural communities and have no other obvious Government / other funding mechanisms available to them. The guidance also lists project types which will not be prioritised for funding.
While calls for applications are open, my Department also liaises with prospective applicants to provide further guidance through information sessions and an FAQ section on our website.
In terms of the alignment between the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, my Department liaises closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure that the two Funds dovetail effectively to achieve their respective objectives. Currently, a special category of towns, with a population of less than 10,000 people and more than 2,500 jobs, can apply for support from the URDF or the RRDF. However, an individual project cannot be submitted to both Funds. This approach will be reviewed in the context of the Town Centre First policy.
Regarding the assessment process for applications, all applications received are assessed by my Department in accordance with the guidelines and under the oversight of an independent Project Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and sectoral 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.
