Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

391. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on an application to the community centre investment fund of a facility (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52485/22]

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

All applications to the Community Centres Investment Fund are subject to a competitive assessment process based on the assessment criteria as set out in the fund guidelines. 

Category 1 applicants were notified of the outcome of this process last week. Details of successful applicants are available on my department’s website at www.gov.ie/drcd. 

The group the Deputy refers to applied for Category 3 funding under the Community Centres Investment Fund. Due to the high level of applications to the fund, the appraisal process is currently ongoing for Category 2 and 3.It is expected to be later in quarter 4 of 2022 when applicants for these categories are notified of the outcome of the application and appraisal process.

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

392. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide details of the progress of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund funding application submitted by Clare County Council to her Department for the Inis Cealtra Holy Island visitor experience; when a decision will be made on the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52581/22]

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

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 €279 million for projects costing €379 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 29 April 2022.  My Department received 42 applications to this call, together seeking funding of over €149 million. 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. 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 prepares a report setting out recommended projects. My role as Minister is 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 weeks.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

393. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the definition of separate agricultural activities under the local improvement scheme which applies to works on private roads; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52618/22]

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

As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is funded into the future. The LIS supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland. 

The Scheme was reintroduced in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. From 2017 to 2021, improvement works have been completed on over 3,000 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 13,300 landowners and residents in these rural areas. This year alone I have committed €22 million under the scheme. Investment in LIS roads has now exceeded €100 million since the establishment of my Department.

Eligible road projects under the scheme are determined by the relevant local authorities in accordance with a broad outline set down by my Department. The road must provide access to parcels of land of which two or more are owned or occupied by different persons engaged in separate agricultural activities.   

In order to satisfy the requirement for agricultural activity, applicants should provide documentation to their local authority to verify that they are engaged in such agricultural activities on the parcel of land in question. This can be done by providing evidence such as a herd/flock number or a copy of the maps associated with the applicant's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Basic Payment Scheme application, or equivalent documentation.