Paula Butterly (Louth, Fine Gael)
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823. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government in light of the very welcome news that the Westgate Vision Project has been approved for Drogheda town, if he will commit to additional urban regeneration and development funding to ensure that the project is commenced as swiftly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10747/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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It is very welcome news that approval was received by Louth County Council on 24 February 2025 from An Bord Pleanála for the Westgate Vision project. The project is described as an Urban Regeneration project to transform the Westgate area of Drogheda and establish a positive regeneration dynamic in the broader town centre.

In line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is currently providing part-funding to applicant-led projects, enabling more compact and sustainable development within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns. Under Call 1 of this programme, Louth County Council received an allocation of €720,167 towards the Westgate Vision project. This funding was for technical assistance, including project management, concept development, feasibility and detailed design along with the planning elements of the project. 95% of this funding has already been drawn down by the Council. The initial allocation was increased in September 2022 to include an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement.

With regard to further rounds of funding, and in line with the agreed Programme for Government, it is my intention to continue and expand URDF-type investment in projects as part of the new Towns and Cities Infrastructure Investment Fund, which will allow for investment in infrastructure, the acquisition of land, assembly of sites and the de-risking of sites in existing towns and cities to maximise their potential growth.

The detailed arrangements for the implementation of these funding streams, including the types of projects to be considered, are currently under development. These arrangements will be clarified further following completion of the National Development Plan Review, which will enable the level of additional capital funding for infrastructure investment to be determined.

My Department will continue to work closely with Louth County Council and the other 30 local authorities in respect of project development under future rounds of funding. It should be noted, however, that responsibility for the composition of any applications for funding and their advancement through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant sponsoring agency (Louth County Council in this instance).