Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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517. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the rural regeneration and development fund applied for in respect of Inis Cealtra, or Holy Island, County Clare. [3222/21]

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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518. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the rural regeneration and development fund applied for in respect of Loop Head Light House, County Clare. [3223/21]

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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519. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the rural regeneration and development fund applied for in respect of a garden (details supplied). [3224/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 517 to 519, inclusive, together.

Arising from the first and second calls under the Rural Regeneration scheme, 63 Category 1 projects have been approved for funding of €131 million and 76 Category 2 projects have been approved for funding of €35 million. Category 1 relates to major capital projects that can drive sustainable rural regeneration and development, while Category 2 supports projects that require development funding to bring them to a stage where they are ready to apply under Category 1 calls.

The three projects referred to by the Deputy are all being led by Clare County Council.

The Iniscealtra project was approved for funding of €920,500 under the second first call for Category 2 applications. Based on the periodic updates my Department seeks in relation to progress on funded projects, I understand that the Council has appointed contractors to carry out work on the visitor experience interpretation and preliminary design.

The Loop Head Lighthouse was approved for funding of €868,500 under the first call for Category 1 applications. I understand the Council has commenced the waterworks for the Loophead Lighthouse and is engaged in the planning and design of the enhancement of the tourism offering within the compound of the Lighthouse.

The Vandeleur Project was approved for funding of €1,720,000 under the first call for Category 1 applications. I understand the Council is currently engaged in the tender process to appoint a contractor to deliver the final project.

If more detailed information is required on the progress of the above projects, I would advise the Deputy to contact the Council directly.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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520. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the category 1 rural regeneration funding application submitted by Louth County Council in respect of the Omeath project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3255/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The third call for Category 1 applications to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed on 1st December. My Department received 66 applications to this call and I understand that an application was received relating to the Omeath Regeneration Strategy Project, submitted by Louth County Council.

The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature. Applications are currently being assessed by my Department under the oversight of the Project Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and independent experts. Once the assessment process is complete, my Department will prepare a report setting out recommended projects and my role as Minister will be to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding.

In light of the foregoing, it will therefore be a number of weeks before an announcement of successful projects can take place.