Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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888. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when his Department will give permission for Kerry County Council to tender for the courthouse in Killorglin under the rural regeneration fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13298/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of large scale capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland. Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects.

I can confirm that in September 2024, Kerry County Council was granted Approval in Principle for Category 1 RRDF funding up to a maximum amount of €672,000 for the Killorglin Town Centre SMART Rural Regeneration project. Local authorities delivering projects approved under the RRDF are in receipt of Exchequer funding. As such, they are subject to the requirements related to public spending on capital projects which are detailed in the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Deliver and Reform’s ‘Infrastructure Guidelines’. This is to ensure provide a greater capacity to deliver projects on time and in a manner that ensures value for money.

I can confirm that on the 5th March last, Kerry County Council confirmed that members of the Council had approved Part 8 planning for the renovation of Killoglin Courthouse building on the 26th of January 2024. In in line with RRDF spending requirements, the Council has requested pre-tender approval to progress with an initial stage of works approved for funding under the project. My officials are currently engaging with the Council and reviewing this submission with a view to issuing a decision on the request shortly. This is in line with the standard procedures for managing the funding of projects under the RRDF.