Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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1295. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the projects that were funded under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund within County Longford in 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [20154/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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In keeping with the aims of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and Project Ireland 2040, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (UDRF) demonstrates a new and more tailored approach to the provision of Government support. Over its planned duration up to 2030, URDF funding support in excess of €2 billion will be targeted to support the regeneration and rejuvenation of our key towns and cities.

The URDF applies to the five cities and their metropolitan areas, larger towns with a population of more than 10,000 people and to a number of smaller towns with fewer than 10,000 people but with more than 2,500 jobs and which function as significant centres of employment. Within County Longford, Longford Town is eligible for support under the URDF.

To date, there have been three rounds ('calls') of funding provided under the URDF with approximately €1.9 billion allocated so far. €13,858,866 in URDF support has been provided to Longford County Council for their two successful proposals under the first two Calls for Proposals, comprising 20 individual projects. In addition, a further allocation of €1,500,000 has been provided under Call 3.

While Call 1 and 2 was for specific proposals, in January 2023 a third round of funding to address long term vacancy and dereliction, and support the key objectives of Housing for All and Town Centre First, was announced. A shift in focus from previous rounds of funding, Call 3 provided a €150 million revolving fund for local authorities to acquire long term vacant or derelict properties in URDF eligible towns and cities.

Acquired properties are then offered by local authorities for private sale at market value to those who in return will commit to bringing the property back into residential use. Proceeds from the sale of these properties will be used to replenish the fund, allowing a local authority to establish a rolling programme to tackle long-term vacancy and dereliction without a requirement for borrowing and the associated financial risk. An allocation of €1,500,000 has been provided to Longford County Council for its approved programme of acquisitions under Call 3.

The details of the funding provided for the eligible URDF areas in County Longford, under the three rounds of funding are outlined in the table below: