Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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183. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding an application (details supplied) under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7110/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The third call for Category 2 applications to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed on the 29th of July 2021. My Department received 53 applications to this call including an application from Mayo County Council for Béal an Mhuirthead 2024 Fís Nua.

The application process for Category 2 proposals is competitive in nature. Applications are assessed by my Department in line with published guidelines and under the oversight of a Project Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and independent experts.

On 6th January 2022, I announced funding of €21.5 million for 27 projects from the third call for Category 2 applications. The application for Béal an Mhuirthead was not successful on this occasion.

My Department has well established procedures for the dissemination of information relating to the Fund and for the provision of feedback to unsuccessful applicants. In that regard, we will meet with applicants to the recently concluded Category 2 call to offer individual feedback on applications and to discuss the current Category 1 call for applications with prospective applicants.

I announced the fourth call for Category 1 applications on the 17th of December and a further call for Category 2 applications will be announced later in the year. Following each announcement, an application form and guidance document is made available on my Department’s website. My Department also liaises directly with prospective applicants to provide further guidance as necessary.