Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 October 2022
79. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the applications for funding under the RRDF for County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53899/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe RRDF is crucially important for some vital projects in Mayo that are currently in planning and development stages. I ask the Minister to provide an update on the fund, which is a lifesaver for many rural communities.
I thank Deputy Dillon for raising this issue. Funding of around €280 million has already been allocated nationally under the RRDF. More than €21 million has been approved to date in respect of 15 projects located in Mayo costing over €30 million. Mayo has the second highest allocation of funding in the country.
I know that Deputy Dillon is particularly interested in two projects in Ballinrobe and Newport in County Mayo. He has brought them to my attention previously.
It is good to hear the Minister outline that Mayo's record in the delivery of RRDF projects is the second highest in the country, with over €30 million worth of projects delivered. One such project is the Connaught GAA centre of excellence and air dome based in Bekan outside Ballyhaunis. It is a fantastic facility that is used by so many young people and up-and-coming underage footballers.
I would also like to make the call for Ballinrobe civic arts and amenity centre, a hugely important project for the community in Ballinrobe. The project will cost somewhere in the region of €4.5 million and will reform the centre of Ballinrobe town.
There is also the Newport regeneration project, which is led by Mayo County Council. Those two projects will be game changers in both those communities. I would advocate strongly that they be successful in the next call under category 1 of the RRDF.
I cannot give the Deputy a commitment on that now but I hear what he is saying. I had thought the Deputy would mention the Connacht GAA dome. It is a great job. I believe it has been very successful. That was funded from my Department. These projects are all mighty big multimillion-euro projects. They are all assessed independently and, as I said, are nearly at a final stage. I will be announcing them in a few weeks' time.
