Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. I know of his personal commitment and dedication to serving the the people of Kanturk.

I understand the Department of Rural and Community Development has received an application for funding for Kanturk town park under measure 2 of the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme. This application is under consideration and an announcement will be made by the Minister, Deputy Ring, in due course. I have also been informed by the Department of Rural and Community Development that an application was received under measure 2 of the CLÁR programme which was, unfortunately, unsuccessful. Almost 500 applications were received across all measures, of which more than 300 were made under measures 1 and 2. The level of funding sought far exceeded the available budget and it was not possible to fund all of the project applications received. The selection of the individual projects had regard, inter alia, to the range, mix, quality and impact of the project proposals submitted. Almost €6 million has been allocated for 179 projects across all measures under the CLÁR programme this year. It includes funding for eight projects in total in County Cork, to a value of almost €300,000.

Funding for regeneration is also available through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund which seeks to support ambitious and strategic projects which have the potential to transform rural economies and communities. The Government has committed €1 billion over ten years to the fund. A total of €315 million has been allocated to the fund for the period from 2019 to 2022.

I am informed by the Department of Rural and Community Development that an application for funding for Kanturk town park was not submitted in the second call for the fund. However, the Department did receive an application for phase one of the Kanturk regeneration plan. The Minister awarded funding of €619,500 to Cork County Council for the project in a recent announcement. The project will unlock the potential for further regeneration opportunities in Kanturk and is one of a series of projects set out in the Kanturk town framework developed by Cork County Council in consultation with local community stakeholders. The development and enhancement of the town park in Kanturk is one of the six transformative projects set out in the Kanturk regeneration plan that may be submitted in future calls for funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund or future calls under other funding support schemes, if appropriate, for example, town and village scheme funding.

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