Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy knows, last week we announced €20 million in rural regeneration and development funding for 30 projects across Ireland, including in his home town. I thank Deputy McCarthy for his work in lobbying for that. Fermoy will see the €772,000 development of a derelict site. This is something that the Deputy and the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, worked closely with me on. That is the kind of project we need. It will allow Avondhu to promote and get ready for a major application. That is what our RRDF announcement last week was about. It will allow the preparatory work to be done for the submission of a major funding application, some in two years and others before then. The RRDF is beginning to have a major impact right around the country.

I mentioned earlier that I was in Athy on Friday visiting the Shackleton Experience which involved the refurbishment of a 300 year old historic building in the middle of the town. It is now a state-of-the-art, 21st century visitor experience that is driving development in Athy. A food hub is also being developed in Athy through the RRDF to support the promotion of local enterprise. Athy is a really good example of what is possible and I would encourage any community around the country to visit Athy to see the RRDF in action.

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