Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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767. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16142/24]

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.

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 RRDF applications closed on 8 February, and I can confirm that an application for funding has been received in respect of the project referenced by the Deputy.

The application process for Category 1 proposals is highly competitive in nature, with all applications subject to rigorous assessment by my Department. A Project Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and independent experts, is also in place to assist with the selection process.

Once the assessment process is complete, my officials will prepare a report setting out recommended projects. My role as Minister will be 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 shortly.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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768. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will review the eligibility criteria for men's/women's sheds grants ahead of future rounds of funding (details supplied). [16530/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a range of supports which are available to both Men's and Women’s Sheds, depending on the works being completed.

Men’s and Women’s Sheds were eligible to apply for capital funding under my Department’s Local Enhancement Programme (LEP), which I announced last December. This €6 million capital fund was set up to assist thousands of community groups across the country.

There was a particular focus on small capital works/necessary repairs and improvements to facilities, as well as the purchase of equipment for community use. The funding may be used, but is not limited to; improved access for persons with a disability; enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups, and improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs.

The LEP is administered on behalf of my Department locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), with support from their Local Authority. The LEP is now closed to applicants and details of successful projects will be published on my Department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd in the coming weeks. Further funding for the Local Enhancement Programme will be considered within the context of the budgetary estimates process later in the year.

I would encourage all groups to check my department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd, and to engage with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN), to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I was delighted to officially open St Declan's Way in September 2021. This is a great amenity for locals and visitors alike, and it is of note that it has received support under a number of schemes and supports operated by my Department in recent years.

For example, St. Declan's Way has been awarded funding of over €220,000 through my Department's Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme since 2016. I was also pleased to include this trail in my Department's Walks Scheme which provides funding to the local landowners for maintaining sections of the trail that traverse their land. I understand that 46 landowners on this trail are participating in this scheme. Furthermore, on Saturday last, I announced funding of €20,000 for two capital projects on St Declan's Way under my Department's Walks Scheme Development Fund.

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is funded by my Department under Our Rural Future. The scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways and blue ways throughout rural Ireland.

Under Measure 1 of the ORIS 2023 scheme, an application was submitted by South Tipperary Development CLG to further develop the St Declan's Way website. I regret to note that given the finite level of resources available and following a competitive assessment process, this application was not successful for funding. My officials are available to discuss this application and other potential projects with the applicants as appropriate.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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770. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 24 January 2024, if further funding will be made available to Galway County Council to deal with the backlog of LIS applications and reopen the scheme to new applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15975/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports improving rural roads and laneways not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded in the future.

The scheme was reintroduced in 2017 after several years without dedicated funding. Between 2017 and 2023, my Department allocated almost €130 million to improvement works on over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes, which benefitted nearly 20,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland.

Last year alone, my Department invested almost €30 million in LIS funding, the highest amount ever invested in the scheme. My officials liaise closely with each local authority to ensure that funds are utilised fully and that as many roads as possible are completed each year.

Each local authority selects roads to be funded under the scheme based on the priority or condition of particular roads in their county. The local authority may rely on existing lists of eligible roads and/or advertise for new applicant roads. However, there is a backlog of roads awaiting repair under the scheme, and my priority is to support local authorities in addressing this backlog.

I intend to announce the 2024 scheme shortly, and my officials will contact local authorities regarding the details of the scheme (including financial allocations) as soon as it is announced.

Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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771. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a new community centres investment fund - improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres is to be announced and open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16143/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I have prioritised the development and enhancement of community centres across the country as they are a vital resource for any community. They are where we go for community activities and events, and for social supports and social interaction. They are home to many of our cultural and sporting clubs. They are also where communities come together in times of difficulty and in times of celebration.

Under the 2022 Community Centre Investment Fund in particular, over €45.8 million was committed for improvement and refurbishment works on over 860 existing community centres across Ireland. There was a huge uptake of this funding and communities are now enjoying the improvements to the fabric of their community centres as a result of this Government initiative.

Following on from this investment, I wanted to assist community groups who are striving to build their own community centre to service their local needs. That is why, in 2023, the focus of the Community Centres Investment Fund moved to new builds.

Last year I announced a new €20 million fund to support communities with shovel-ready projects on green or brownfield sites for the construction of new community centres. I'm pleased to note that the project assessment process is nearing conclusion and I hope to shortly announce the successful projects. I will, of course, then give consideration to the need for further funding for community centres in the context of available funding.