John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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113. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will review the eligibility criteria of CLÁR, with a view to expanding the programme to rural areas which are currently ineligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14573/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation over a defined period.

The Programme for Government makes a commitment to carry out a comprehensive review of the eligibility criteria of CLÁR within 6 months with a view to expanding the programme to rural areas which are currently ineligible. My officials have begun the process of completing this review. The outcome of the review will inform my decision regarding the areas that will be eligible for CLÁR in the future.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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114. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the up-to-date position on advancing a project (details supplied); to detail the funding drawn down to date on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14616/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a capital investment fund that is key to the delivery of Ireland's rural development policy, Our Rural Future 2021-2025. RRDF provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages in rural areas across Ireland. Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects.

Údarás na Gaeltachta is the lead partner for the Coláiste Íosagáin Regional Development Centre project in Baille Bhuirne, Co Chorcaí. In 2024, this project was awarded funding of over €3.28 million in RRDF funding. The project, which has also secured a significant amount of funding through other sources, will repurpose a former residential school to provide a Regional Development Centre, comprising of an enterprise development, training and research facility.

To date, no Category 1 RRDF funding has been drawn down in respect of this project. Údarás na Gaeltachta has confirmed that work at the Coláiste Íosagáin site commenced in September 2024 and has advised that the project remains on track for completion in early 2026.

My officials will continue to engage with Údarás na Gaeltachta as to progress on the project.