Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Community Recognition Fund recognises the huge efforts made by communities going to great lengths in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.Funding of €50 million for over 880 projects is supporting towns and villages nationwide that have shown such generosity in welcoming people from Ukraine and other countries.The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community. It is important to note that this is separate from other public funding streams which aim to support the development of public service needs arising from the significant number of new arrivals into Ireland.Through this initiative, communities are being assisted to develop projects such as large-scale multi-purpose sports facilities, walkways, cycle paths, playgrounds, equipment for sports clubs and community festivals. Vehicles have also been funded to address transport needs in communities.A key priority for me now is to ensure that the range of projects approved across the country are delivered in a timely manner. Once we see good progress in delivering these projects, we can then assess the potential for a further round of funding within the context of overall budgetary resources. I look forward to seeing projects coming to fruition across the country in the coming months.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1866. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an overview of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and how it works; the next deadline for applications in 2024; if further applications will be invited after February 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56613/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland. To date, 215 projects have been approved for funding of €414 million for projects costing €566 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 fifth call for Category 1 projects is currently open for applications and closes on the 8thof February 2024. An application form and guidance document are available on my Department’s website for those seeking further information. Further iterations of funding calls have not yet been finalised.