Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this matter. The rural regeneration and development fund established under the national development plan and managed by my Department supports large-scale investment in projects which can deliver sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.

To date, 63 category 1 projects have been approved for funding of €131 million and 76 category 2 projects for funding of €35 million. Category 1 relates to major capital projects ready to enter procurement, while category 2 supports projects that require development funding to bring them to category 1 readiness. Rural towns and villages across the country are benefiting from this fund. The third call for category 1 applications closed on 1 December and I am pleased my Department received 66 applications.

I understand an application was received from the Charleville town centre integrated regeneration plan project, which is led by Cork County Council. The application process for the fund is competitive in nature. Applications will now be assessed by my Department under the oversight of a project advisory board. This independent board comprises representatives from key Departments as well as independent experts.

On completion of this process, my Department will prepare a report setting out recommended projects. My role as Minister will be to consider that report and make final decisions regarding the allocation of funding. I am informed the process should take approximately three months to complete.

See this speech in context