Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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104. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of a Rural Regeneration and Development Fund application in respect of Killorglin, County Kerry; her views on the importance that this funding would mean for the town and the mid-Kerry area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60152/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. To date, €255million has been approved to date for 164 projects worth a total of €347 million.

Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications

The third call for Category 2 applications to the Fund closed on 30^thJuly 2021. My Department received 53 applications to this call and I understand that an application was received for the project referred to by the Deputy.

The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature. The assessment of applications has now been completed, a process undertaken by my Department under the oversight of the Project Advisory Board. A report has been forwarded to me 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. I expect to announce the successful projects over the coming days.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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105. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures that are in place to support the refurbishment of vacant properties in rural communities; the way ease of access for persons is ensured within funding streams such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the town and village renewal schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60147/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The revitalisation of vacant and derelict properties is being addressed by a number of initiatives delivered by my Department in line with the commitments contained in Our Rural Future and as part of the Government's Housing for All.

In April, I announced investment of €81 million for 25 landmark projects under Category 1 of the RRDF These projects will combat dereliction, increase the vibrancy of rural towns and villages, and regenerate town centre buildings. In the terms of access to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), the lead party to an application must be a State-funded body and typically projects tend to be larger scale projects.

I have also announced funding of €15 million that is available under the 2021 Town & Village Renewal Scheme. A key focus of this year’s scheme is to renovate derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, including for residential living. I have increased the maximum grant available under the Scheme to €500,000 to permit projects of additional scale to be funded. I expect to announce the successful projects shortly.

In relation to access to the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, local authorities invite expressions of interest from local community groups in the first instance. Projects are assessed locally and then selected projects are submitted to my Department for competitive evaluation.