Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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2683.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on a project (details supplied); whether her Department has allocated money for an overall master plan for this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32228/24]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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2684.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on a project (details supplied); the stage works are at with this building; the timeframe for their conclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32229/24]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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2685.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on a project (details supplied); the stage works are at with this building; if there is a timeframe for their conclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32230/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2683 to 2685, inclusive, together.

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.

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 ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.

To date, 245 projects have been approved for RRDF funding of €585 million. In Monaghan, RRDF funding of €39.8 million has been allocated to 15 projects.

The Ballybay Regeneration project was allocated Category 2 funding of €410,400 in 2019 to develop plans to redevelop the Ballybay Market House as a library and community hub. This project is in the final stage of the detailed design process. In May 2024 I allocated funding of €1.25 million from the Libraries Capital Programme 2023-2027 to complete the project. The estimated completion date of this project is September 2027.

My Department has not received an application for funding in respect of Hope Castle itself under previous rounds of the RRDF. However, I was delighted to officially open the new Castleblayney Library on the 10th of November 2023. This project was funded by my Department under the RRDF and has seen the complete transformation of the previously derelict Hope Castle Gate Lodge Building.

The Castleblayney Market Square Regeneration Phase 2 project was allocated RRDF Category 2 funding of €295,000 in 2020. This project has developed plans to refurbish the Market House building for use as a multi-purpose community facility, as well as public realm works of the Market Square.

Furthermore, on the 13th May 2024, I allocated funding of €10.7 million to the Castleblayney Market Square Regeneration Phase 2 project from the fifth call for Category 1 applications. The project will redevelop the historic Market House into a public facility providing cultural, retail and office spaces. The project also includes public realm enhancements to create a pedestrian-friendly public gathering space. The project is currently undergoing a due diligence process and is expected to commence in Q3 2024. The estimated completion date for the project is Q4 2026.

I plan to announce a further call for Category 2 RRDF applications later this year.