Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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My Department has provided a range of supports which both Men's and Women’s Sheds availed of, depending on the works being completed.

For example, last yearthe Community Enhancement Programmeprovided funding of €4.5m for small capital grants to community groups to enhance their facilities and towards the re-opening of facilities. Men's and Women’s sheds along with other community groups could apply to this funding programme.

It is hoped to run another CEP later in 2022, however, details of this programme are not yet confirmed. I would advise the group to check www.gov.ie/drcd on a regular basis for updates and to also make contact with their Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) for further details on the programme. The LCDC may also be in a position, using their knowledge of the local area, to direct the group in question towards a short term arrangement for the summer months so that they can continue to meet while they await a return to their premises.

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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356. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has received and considered an application in respect of funding for a centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36690/22]

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 €278 million for projects costing €377 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 fourth call for Category 1 applications to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed on the 29^thApril 2022. My Department received 42 applications to this call, together seeking funding of over €149 million. I understand that an application was received from Clare County Council for the centre referred to by the Deputy.

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. My role as Minister will be to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding.

I expect to be in a position to announce the successful projects in the coming months.