Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2602. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an application (details supplied) to the rural regeneration and development fund will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19623/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major capital investment programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.

To date, the RRDF has allocated €588 million for 243 projects across Ireland. The Programme for Government recognises the importance of investing in our rural towns and villages through schemes such as the RRDF, and contains a commitment to increase the fund.

Calls for applications under are sought under two categories, Category 1 and Category 2.

Category 1 relates to larger scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed.

Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.

The 4th Call for Category 2 applications was launched in October 2024 and typically provides funding of up to €1m per project. The closing date for applications under this Call was the 14 March.

I can confirm that an application in respect of the project referenced by the Deputy has been received. The assessment process for the RRDF applications received under the 4th Call, which is undertaken on a competitive basis, is ongoing. Following the assessment of applications, I anticipate an announcement of successful projects will be made in Quarter 3 this year.

I am committed to ensuring that the RRDF can continue to support high quality and transformational projects across rural Ireland in line with the objectives of Our Rural Future.