Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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2050. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will be open for new applications under category 2 of the fund in 2022; if so, when it will be opened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1380/22]

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, 191 projects have been approved for funding of €277m for projects costing a total of €374m.

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 funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.

In December, I announced the fourth call for Category 1 applications to the Fund.  The closing date for applications is 9th April 2022 and an application form and guidance document is available on my Department’s website for those seeking further information.

I expect to announce a fourth call for Category 2 applications later in 2022. 

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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2051. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports that are available to community centres to assist with upgrade works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1390/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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My Department currently have a number of schemes that are relevant to community centres such as the Community Enhancement Programme.  The programme in 2021 provided €4.5m funding for small capital grants for the improvement of facilities and it will be available again in 2022.  

In November 2021 I launched €9m Community Activities Fundto support community and voluntary groups impacted by COVID-19.  This Fund helps community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities.This once-off funding is administered locally by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area.

In addition, depending on the project being completed, funding may be available through the Leader Transitional programme.  The programme is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country.  Interested applicants should make contact with the relevant LAG to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available.

Separately, a new capital fund for the upgrade of community centres was referenced in the National Development Plan.  The Scheme will be launched in early 2022 and further details will be announced in due course.