Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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806. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of Kinnegad library and town park project, previously granted under the rural regeneration fund. [53339/22]

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. The Fund has, to date, allocated funding of €280 million for 191 projects across the country worth a total of €380 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 funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.

The Kinnegad Regeneration Phase 2 project was approved for funding of €8,174,780 under the third call for Category 1 applications to the Fund. The lead party for this project is Westmeath County Council. The latest update supplied to my Department stated that the tender process for the works contractor to deliver the Community Library and Education Centre is currently in progress. Westmeath County Council will be in a position to provide any further details required in respect of this project.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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807. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will give favourable consideration for funding for projects (details supplied) in their respective applications under the community centre fund; and the timeframe for announcing funding for same. [53340/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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 earlier this month. Details of successful applicants are available on my department’s website at www.gov.ie/drcd.

The groups 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.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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808. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if it is her desire to see the community centres fund open for applications again in 2023, given the success and popularity for this fund in 2022, and the need for such funding for many rural communities around Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53370/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I launched the €15 million Community Centres Investment Fund in April 2022 and the fund closed to applications on Thursday 14th July 2022. The interest in the fund was extremely high, resulting in 1,048 applications being received under 3 Categories.

To date, over €12.5 million has been awarded to 580 successful Category 1 applicants. Details of the successful applicants are available on my department’s website at www.gov.ie/drcd.

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.

I am delighted to inform the Deputy that I have secured €20 million in funding under Budget 2023 for a 2023 Community Centres Investment Fund. It is intended that the 2023 fund will be targeted for new build community centres as well as upgrades and improvements to existing centres. The details of this scheme are currently being developed by officials within my Department and further details will be announced in 2023.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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809. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of grant funding that will be made available for businesses under the streetscape enhancement scheme to assist with the upgrade and enhancement of shop fronts; the number of towns that have been selected to date under the scheme by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53471/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Streetscape Enhancement Measure was introduced in 2021 as part of the commitment in Our Rural Futureto upgrade and enhance shopfronts and street facades in our rural towns and villages.

Under the 2022 Streetscape Enhancement Measure €2.6 million is being made available to improve the visual appearance of our urban streetscapes.

Eligible local authorities have selected towns and areas within the towns to benefit from the Measure and have submitted applications to my Department detailing works applied for.

Local authorities have until 31 August 2023 to have works under the scheme completed. The table below details the towns approved under the Measure and amount of funding allocated to these towns.