Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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79. To ask 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]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The 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.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Dillon for raising this issue. Funding of around €280 million has already been allocated nationally under the RRDF. More €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 will shortly be announcing the successful projects under the fourth call for funding for category 1 applications. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place, and which are ready to proceed.The focus of the fourth call for Category 1 applications is to support ambitious capital projects which make the best case to assist in revitalising our towns, villages and rural areas through planned and sustainable regeneration. These projects will drive greater economic activity, address vacancy and dereliction and provide the necessary facilities and infrastructure which will assist in attracting people back to live in rural areas. This investment will help to drive economic development within these areas.

My Department received 42 applications to this latest call for funding, together seeking funding of over €149 million. I understand that two applications for projects located in County Mayo were submitted to this call. The application process for the fund is competitive in nature. Applications are assessed by my Department under the oversight of the project advisory board comprised of representatives from key Departments and independent experts. Once the assessment process is complete, my Department prepares a report setting out recommended projects. My role as Minister is to consider that report and make final decisions in respect of the allocation of funding. I expect to be in a position to announce the successful projects in the coming weeks.

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.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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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.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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.