John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1352. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to provide the full list of projects in County Galway for which urban regeneration and development funding has been provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21128/25]

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 Galway, Galway City and Metropolitan Area, Ballinasloe, Tuam, and Oranmore were 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. €68,786,845 in URDF support has been provided to Galway City and Galway County Councils for their seven successful proposals under the first two Calls, comprising of 19 individual projects.

In addition, funding of €477,087 was provided to Galway Harbour Company and the National University of Galway to progress two projects under Call 1

While Calls 1 and 2 were for specific proposals, in January 2023 a third round of funding to address long term vacancy and dereliction, and to 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 €6,000,000 (€3,000,000 to each Authority) has been provided to Galway City and Galway County Councils for their approved programme of acquisitions under Call 3.

The details of the funding provided for the eligible URDF areas in Galway City and Galway County Councils, under the three rounds of funding are outlined in the tables below: