Written answers
Wednesday, 17 May 2023
Department of Rural and Community Development
National Development Plan
Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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263. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on all current National Development Plan 2021-2030 projects under her Department being progressed in Cork South West, including the current status of each project and the planned completion date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23322/23]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 is the largest National Development Plan ever delivered in the history of the State at €165 billion, with a particular focus on priority solutions to strengthen housing, climate ambitions, transport, healthcare, jobs growth in every region and economic renewal for the decade ahead.
While the Plan is a whole of Government approach, Chapter 8: Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities sets out details that will be delivered and administered by my Department. The NDP will support the achievement of the ambitious objectives set out in Our Rural Future – the Rural Development Policy 2021-2025.
Over the life of the NDP, my Department will continue to invest in and support rural Ireland and communities across the country.
I understand that the focus of the Deputy’s question relates to The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Details in this regard are outlined below, and information in relation to projects under other capital schemes operated by my Department is available on my Department’s website.
The RRDF is one of the key schemes under the NDP, providing funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. Three projects located in South West Cork have been allocated RRDF funding of €9.6 million for projects worth €22.7million
Cork County Council was awarded €2.15 million under the first call for Category 1 applications in 2018 for the Kinsale Library Project. In addition, I awarded funding for two further projects under the fourth call for Category 1 applications late last year. These are the Bandon Town Centre Renewal and Regeneration Project, for which Cork County Council was awarded €5.5 million, and the Neart Enterprise, Creative and Digital Hub on Sherkin Island, for which Comhar na nOileán was awarded over €1.9 million. The projects allocated funding in South West Cork are large scale capital projects that will have a lasting impact and be truly transformational for these communities. A list of RRDF project in Cork South West including the status and planned completion date is set out in Table 1.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme also aims to rejuvenate rural towns and villages across Ireland in line with the objectives contained in Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy. A list of Town and Village projects located in Cork South West is set out in Table 2.
Table 1. RRDF Projects located in Cork South West
| Project Title | Lead Party | Call | Cat | Project Description | Project Cost | RRDF Funding | Status | Estimated Completion Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinsale Library Project | Cork County Council | 1 | 1 | This project involves the relocation of Kinsale library to a heritage building owned by Cork County Council. The larger library will allow for greater access, more membership/visitors and events to take place. | €2,876,500.00 | €2,157,375.00 | Implementation | Q4 2023 |
| Neart Enterprise, Creative and Digital Hub | Comhar na nOileán | 4 | 1 | This project will support an island community to grow and develop and deliver a new Enterprise, Creative and Digital Hub which will support the Neart Initiative, a three year income and job creation plan. | €2,396,621.00 | €1,917,297.00 | Due Diligence | Q2 2025 |
| Bandon Town Centre Renewal and Regeneration Project | Cork County Council | 4 | 1 | This is an ambitious and town centre focused regeneration project that includes the conversion of a vacant building into a community space, the transformation of the old town library into an e-hub remote working facility, the provision of new public spaces and major public realm works that will support active travel. | €17,500,000.00 | €5,500,000.00 | Due Diligence | Q4 2026 |
Table 2. TVRS Projects located in Cork South West
| Town/Village | Year | Scheme | Description | Project Cost | Grant Approved | Project Status | Date Completed | Expected Date of Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bandon | 2022 | SEM | Streetscape Enhancement | €79,838 | €63,870 | Completed | Nov-22 | |
| Bandon | 2016 | TVRS | Commemortative space to celebrate 1916 | €90,000 | €47,500 | Completed | Nov-16 | |
| Bantry | 2017 | TVRS | Develop and Brand Bantry Market | €96,000 | €76,800 | Completed | Dec-18 | |
| Bantry | 2018 | TVRS | Enhancement of Main Street | €120,000 | €96,000 | Completed | Dec-20 | |
| Bantry | 2022 | TVRS | The installation of an inclusive, accessible playground in the Peace Park in Bantry. | €240,000 | €216,000 | ongoing | Aug-24 | |
| Castletownbere | 2021 | PDM | Obtain professional report in respect of the refurbishment and redevelopment of St Peter’s Church, Castletownbere with a view to developing a fishing museum and community hub in the former Church of Ireland building. | €44,280 | €39,852 | ongoing | Aug-23 | |
| Castletownbere | 2017 | TVRS | Carpark and Street enhancement | €200,000 | €100,000 | Completed | Oct-18 | |
| Castletownbere | 2021 | TVRS | Transforming an underused site into a safe and universally accessible vertical ‘pocket park area in the town centre of Castletownbere, Co Cork | €108,890 | €98,001 | ongoing | Aug-23 | |
| Clonakilty | 2017 | TVRS | Cycleway and Pedestrian Access route | €137,500 | €100,000 | Completed | Dec-18 | |
| Drinagh | 2017 | TVRS | Plaza, Public lightening, Footpath etc. | €100,000 | €80,000 | Completed | Dec-18 | |
| Dunmanway | 2016 | TVRS | Tourism - Sam Maguire Trail | €56,000 | €47,500 | Completed | Nov-16 | |
| Dunmanway | 2018 | TVRS | Refurbish car park, incorporate pedestrian link to Dunmanway | €120,000 | €96,000 | Completed | Dec-20 | |
| Durras | 2019 | TVRS | Public realm improvements in Durras Village. | €75,000 | €60,000 | Completed | Jan-22 | |
| Glengarriff | 2017 | TVRS | Life size bronze to commemorate Maureen O Hara | €60,000 | €48,000 | Completed | Dec-18 | |
| Glengarriff | 2019 | TVRS | Installing a new riverside walk, eradicating invasive species while planting native ones, and upgrading existing walks. | €125,000 | €100,000 | Completed | Dec-21 | |
| Kinsale | 2017 | TVRS | Renovate Local Museum | €100,000 | €80,000 | Completed | Dec-19 | |
| Leap | 2020 | TVRS | ?Amenity park overlooking the estuary, including:Viewing platform, landscaping, wild flower garden, walkways & raised seating area. | €95,000 | €85,000 | Completed | Dec-21 | |
| Schull | 2017 | TVRS | New Pontoon facilities -Commerical and Leisure vessels | €199,500 | €100,000 | Completed | Dec-18 | |
| Skibbereen | 2017 | TVRS | Ludgate Hub Innovation cluster | €190,783 | €152,627 | Completed | Dec-18 | |
| Skibbereen | 2022 | TVRS | Upgrading of the public amenity known as the 'Rock' to include footpaths, new amphitheatre, interpretation of site heritage features, signage, picnic areas, outdoor gym units | €270,000 | €243,000 | ongoing | Aug-23 | |
| West Cork | 2020 | TVRS Acc | Purchase of 2 marquees and Amplification equipment to facilitate the holding of “All weather” community events in the West Cork area. | €20,000 | €18,000 | Completed | Jul-21 | |
| West Cork | 2020 | TVRS Acc | Purchase of stage and amplification equipment system to allow for the holding of medium scale community events & concerts across West Cork | €20,000 | €18,000 | Completed | Jul-22 |
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