Written answers

Tuesday, 10 July 2018

Department of Rural and Community Development

Rural Recreation Scheme

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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844. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding that was issued to groups in County Kildare under the rural recreation, infrastructure and the town and village renewal schemes in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the groups that drew down funding; the nature of the projects they requested funding for under each grant heading; the amount available overall under the headings in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30137/18]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure scheme (previously known as the Rural Recreation Scheme) provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the maintenance and promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural Ireland.

€7.4 million was allocated to 117 projects nationally under the scheme in 2016 and a total of €13.6 million was allocated to 251 projects under the 2017 scheme.

Only one application was submitted in respect of Co. Kildare under the 2016 scheme, but this application was unsuccessful.  No applications were submitted under the 2017 scheme from Co. Kildare. 

I launched the 2018 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme on the 1st June last, with an indicative allocation of €12 million under three measures. The final closing date for applications is 27thJuly 2018.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Local Authorities. Community groups cannot apply directly to my Department for funding under the scheme.  However, Local Authorities are required to consult with communities in identifying proposals for submission to my Department under the scheme.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme scheme was introduced in 2016 with an allocation of €380,000 to each county.  Funding totalling almost €10 million was provided to 170 projects across the country in 2016, of which 6 were in towns/villages in Co. Kildare.

In 2017, I approved a further €21.6 million in funding to 281 projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, of which €416,403 was allocated to projects in 5 towns/villages in Co. Kildare.

I launched a further round of the scheme this year with an indicative allocation of €15 million.  The closing date for applications was 30th June 2018 and all applications received are currently being assessed. I can confirm that Kildare County Council submitted 8 applications for consideration under the 2018 scheme. 

Details of the various schemes operated by my Department and the individual projects which received funding under these schemes are available on the Rural Development pages of my Department's website, .

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