Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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797. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason each of the rural regeneration development fund second call for category 2 applications by a local authority (details supplied) were rejected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15533/20]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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803. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application for funding under the rural regeneration and development fund for a group (details supplied); if the current application will be considered for funding in a forthcoming tranche of the scheme; the reason for the failure of the application in the most recent round of announcements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15141/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 797 and 803 together.

The second call for Category 2 applications for the Fund closed on 28^thFebruary and there was an excellent response from all across the country, with 76 applications received.

On 25^thJune 2020, Minister Ring announced details of 24 successful projects arising from this call. The successful projects have been allocated €13m in support from the Fund and will deliver a total investment worth €17m. To date, the Fund has now allocated €161 million in support for 134 projects across Ireland, worth a combined total of €229 million.

The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature and applications undergo comprehensive scrutiny, involving assessment by my Department under the oversight of a Project Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from key Government Departments as well as independent experts. On foot of this process, a report on recommended projects is submitted to the Minister to inform decision-making in relation to the allocation of funding to successful projects.

My Department has informed me that a further limited announcement is possible, subject to budgetary availability.

It should also be noted that the third call for Category 1 applications - relating to projects with all planning and other consents in place and ready to commence works - is now open and the closing date for applications is the 1^stDecember 2020.