Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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1620. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 508 of 8 February 2023, if he is aware that the RRDF project in Carrick-on- Suir, County Tipperary will go to tender shortly (details supplied) and that work is scheduled to begin in early June 2023, the level of work that the Carrick-on-Suir RRDF project must complete before Cahir, County Tipperary, can draw down funds to begin work on its town centre renovation, car park and library projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13529/23]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1621. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update in relation to the progress of the recent Rural Regeneration and Development Fund allocations to Tipperary County Council to the towns of Cahir, Roscrea and Carrick on Suir; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13545/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1620 and 1621 together.

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, 215 projects have been approved for funding of €395 million for projects costing €542 million.

The Fund is central to achieving the objectives and key deliverables of "Our Rural Future" – the Government's five year policy for Rural Ireland. The projects supported by the Fund assist in the regeneration of rural towns and villages by addressing vacancy and dereliction, and positioning them for further growth through regeneration and town centre renewal. The Fund also invests in strategic projects that contribute to further economic development in rural areas. 

In November 2022, I announced funding of €115 million for 23 projects worth a total of €162 million from the fourth call for Category 1 applications. This is the largest allocation of funding since the RRDF was established. The projects announced will be delivered across two phases

As part of that announcement, I allocated funding of over €30 million in total for three projects led by Tipperary County Council.  €14.4 million for the Carrick-on-Suir Regeneration project in Phase 1, €11.9 million for the Activating Cahir’s Town Centre Regeneration project and €4.5 million for the Reimagining and Regeneration Gantly Street in Phase 2.

The projects in Phase 1 can be commenced once the due diligence process is completed with my Department. I am informed by my officials that the RRDF letter of offer and funding agreement will issue for the Carrick-on-Suir Regeneration project shortly.

The projects in Phase 2 will be delivered based on a timeframe to be agreed upon with my Department and Tipperary County Council. The timeframe will be linked to the level of progress achieved on Phase 1 projects and on other existing Rural Regeneration and Development Fund projects currently being progressed by Tipperary County Council.

The scale of this announcement will guarantee that there is a pipeline of ambitious projects that are ready to be delivered over the coming years. My Department will work with the successful lead parties to manage their project pipeline and ensure that approved projects progress at a sustainable pace.

Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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1622. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if grants are available to communities to refurbish parish halls; if the halls in question are owned by the parish or dioceses and not on a long-term lease to the community; the steps, if any need to be taken to ensure that communities can apply for grants in this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13661/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department recognises the vital role that community centres, play at the heart of each community in bringing people together, engaging with those who may be marginalised or disadvantaged, and building stronger, more coherent communities. Under Our Rural Future there are a number of avenues open to community groups to refurbish these buildings include the CLÁR Programme, the Community Centres Investment Fund (CCIF), the Community Recognition Fund (CRF), the LEADER Programme and the Community Support Fund.

The CLÁR Programme provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. The CLÁR 2022 programme awarded a record €12.2 million with 292 projects supported under the Programme. One of these measures was focused on the development of community facilities and amenities including refurbishment of halls. Measures for inclusion in the CLÁR Programme are reviewed each year. I am happy to confirm details of the 2023 program will also be announced in the coming weeks.

In 2022, I launched a new fund, the Community Centres Investment Fund (CCIF). Following competitive assessment, I was pleased to announce significant investment of over €45 million in 858 projects. I was delighted to secure an additional €21m in Budget 2023 for a new round of the CCIF.The focus now will be on "new builds". The details of the 2023 scheme are currently being developed and I hope to issue a call for applications in the coming weeks.

My Department launched the €50m Community Recognition Fund(CRF)earlier this year. This fund is specifically targeted at projects that are located in communities, towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants. The Fund will support the development of facilities that will be used by all members of the community. It provides funding for enhancement to parish facilities which are open to use by all of the community. Local authorities have submitted funding proposals to my Department which are currently being assessed.

The LEADER Programme is a key intervention implemented by my Department which will help to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in 'Our Rural Future'. The LEADER programme is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland. A feature of the LEADER programme is that it is based on a community-led, bottom-up approach to rural development. Support under the LEADER programme is provided under a broad range of themes, including the Social Inclusion Theme in the current LEADER programme or the Rural Infrastructure & Social Inclusion theme in the 2023-2027 programme. Funding for community facilities may be available under these themes. In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the sub-regional area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme. Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The list of all LAGs, their Implementing Partners and their contact details, is available on my Department’s website.

Finally, the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) provides funding to community groups and organisations across Ireland, with a focus on areas of disadvantage. Funding is provided to each local authority, and the programme is administered by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) on the basis of local need. The €10 million Community Support Fund, launched in 2022 is a new fund under the CEP, which is assisting community groups across the country deal with rising energy and operational costs such as electricity bills and insurance costs. Groups can also use the funding to carry out small upgrade or refurbishment works and purchase equipment.

It is a requirement of the various funding streams that any funded facility is open to use by all members of the community. Different conditions apply to the various Schemes but in the main applications for funding are made by, or in partnership with, a local community group. The applicant must own the facility or have a 15 year lease for the facility.