Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2056. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the breakdown by NUTS III region of projects funded to date under the rural economic development zone programme. [14689/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) are functional, rather than administrative, geographic areas that reflect the spatial patterns of local economic activity and development. They are, in effect, sub-county zones within which most people live and work.

The central objective of the REDZ model was to stimulate economic activity at a local level by strengthening collaborative development between rural towns and their outlying areas. 

A pilot REDZ scheme operated in 2015, with a second pilot phase being run in 2016.  A total of €9.956m was approved for 98 projects countywide under the REDZ Scheme in 2015/16, as set out in the following table at NUTS III level.

The REDZ approach was incorporated into my Department’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme from 2017.  Both this scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund are informed, inter alia, by the collaborative aspects of the REDZ scheme.