Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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2019.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional funding will be provided for a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.[33872/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Coláiste Íosagáin project is intended to repurpose a former residential school to provide a Regional Development Centre (RDC) to include enterprise development, training and research facilities. In doing so, it will support economic development and facilitate the creation of jobs in the region. Latest estimates provided to my department indicate a c. €8.7m overall capital cost associated with the development of the RDC. Funding partners to the project include my Department, Enterprise Ireland, Cork County Council and Údarás na Gaeltachta.

The REDF funding of €2.7m referred to by the Deputy relates grant funding awarded in April 2022 under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund which is a scheme falling under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment and Enterprise Ireland. This funding was provided to support the early stage development of the Coláiste Íosagáin Regional Development Centre (RDC) as well as for enterprise development programme supports.

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), which falls under my remit as Minister for Rural and Community Development, provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland. An RRDF application for funding was received from Údarás na Gaeltachta in February 2024 in relation to wider capital costs associated with the project.

I am happy confirm that, on the 13th May last, I announced RRDF funding approval of €3.27 million to support the delivery of the Coláiste Íosagáin project which has an estimated completion date of Quarter 4, 2025.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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2020.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made in discussions with the local authority in relation to proposed works at the Cappaghoosh trail near Doire Iorrais Bridge, which was to include the upgrade of a mountain bike trail and the replacement of two bridges, and which was to be funded by her Department; if the local authority has indicated to her Department when these ecological issues will be resolved in order that it can restore the funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[33902/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways and blue ways throughout rural Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme in 2016, funding of over €129 million has supported more than 1,700 projects across the country.

Under Measure 3 of the 2020 scheme, funding of €500,000 was approved for the Connemara Trails and Eurovelo Route project. The proposed works included the upgrading of an existing 10km walking trail at Cappahoosh through Coillte lands, replacement of two bridges along the route of the Western Way walking trail, upgrade of an existing mountain bike trail at Derroura Oughterard, and signage on the Eurovelo cycling route from the Mayo border at Leenane to the Clare border at Kinvara.

In July 2023, it was brought to the attention of my Department that the National Parks and Wildlife Service had concerns regarding the works carried out within the Connemara Bogs Complex Special Area of Conservation in Booheeshal in Connemara, Co Galway. Based on the circumstances outlined and in accordance with the funding agreement, the applicant was advised to cease works on site and the funding offer has been withdrawn until investigation of the matter has been concluded and the issues resolved. There are also additional concerns in respect of a forestry road at Cappaghoosh/Boheeshal, Recess, Co. Galway constructed as part of the project which are also under investigation at this time.

Officials in my Department are in ongoing consultation with the local authority in respect of these matters and are awaiting confirmation that the outstanding concerns have been resolved.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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2021.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the local groups in Dublin that were granted funding under the Community Recognition Fund in 2023 and 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[33995/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.

Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects in providing support to cities, towns and villages nationwide who have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries. To further support communities, I announced a further €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund on March 15th last.

The additional funding is specifically targeted at projects which are located in cities, towns and villages who are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants.

Applications under the current round of funding can be submitted by local authorities across three phases, so as to allow flexibility and adequate engagement and collaboration on larger projects. The phased closing dates for receipt of applications are May 31st, September 30th and January 31st, 2025.

Under this new round of funding, the local authorities in Dublin have been awarded funding of €6,694,307 which brings the total funding provided to them under the Community Recognition Fund to over €14.3 million.

A total of 111 projects worth over €8.7 million have been approved to date in Dublin under the Community Recognition Fund 2023 and 2024. A table of these projects is set out at the link below.

Dublin City Council and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council have not submitted any applications under the first phase of Community Recognition Fund 2024 but are expected to submit applications under windows 2 and 3.

I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this funding will have on the ground in communities all across Ireland.

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