David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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869. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 43 of 20 June 2024, the progress made to date with respect to the development of a project (details supplied); when she expects the project to be completed; the amount of project funding made available and drawn down so far under the rural regeneration and development fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36686/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is a strategic capital investment fund that is key to the delivery of Ireland's rural development policy, Our Rural Future 2021-2025.

The Youghal Public Library project has been awarded funding of just over €4 million under the third Call for Category 1 proposals to the Fund in 2021. The project will renovate and extend derelict buildings and a site on Youghal's North Main Street to provide a new library and revitalised streetscape.

As stated in my response in June 2024, Cork County Council has advised my Department that, since the funding was approved in 2021, the condition of the building has deteriorated further and some fundamental structural issues relating to internal floors have come to light.

Cork County Council has confirmed that the initial preparation work required in order to demolish unsafe structures and stabilise the remaining structures has commenced. Demolition and other works have been commissioned and will commence next week and take approximately 20 weeks to complete.

The Council has indicated that the substantive tender to deliver the project will be advertised following completion of these works. The project is estimated to be completed in Q4 2026. The amount of RRDF funding drawn down to date for the project is €224,642. Further drawdowns are expected before the end of 2024 with the bulk of the funding to be drawn down in 2025 and 2026.

Given the benefits that this project can deliver to the community in Youghal, I have instructed my officials to remain in ongoing contact with Cork County to support the delivery of this important project.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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870. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she plans to allocate Clár funding again in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36687/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The CLÁR Programme provides funding for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures with over €70 million being approved for almost 2,400 projects throughout rural Ireland. This funding is making a real difference in many of our smaller and more remote communities.

The 2024 CLÁR programme was launched on the 12^th April last. The measures to be included in the CLÁR programme are reviewed and revised, if appropriate, each year.

The measures being funded under CLÁR 2024 are:

• Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities (funding up to €50,000)
• Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, First Responder and Meals on Wheels Transport (funding up to €100,000)
• Measure 3: Our Islands (funding up to €120,000)