Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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820. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his response to the motion recently passed by Donegal County Council (details supplied). [29761/25]

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

To date, there have been three rounds of funding provided under the URDF, with approximately €1.9 billion in Exchequer grants allocated. Under Call 1 and Call 2, 132 proposals, comprising some 430 individual projects, were approved for funding.

In the Northern and Western Region, 30 proposals involving 89 individual projects have received a total of €218 million in URDF support. In addition, €21 million has be awarded to the nine local authorities in the region under the URDF Call 3 programme of support for acquisitions aimed at tackling long-term vacancy and dereliction

In line with the agreed Programme for Government, it is my intention to establish a new Towns and Cities Infrastructure Investment Fund to replace the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). With this new fund it is the aim of my Department to continue and expand URDF-type investment in projects. This will allow for investment in infrastructure, the acquisition of land, assembly of sites and the de-risking of sites in existing towns and cities to maximise their potential growth.

The detailed arrangements for the implementation of these funding streams, including matching funding requirements, will be clarified further following completion of the National Development Plan Review, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation. The completion of this review will enable the level of additional capital funding for infrastructure investment, and the conditions such as matched funding requirements for the allocation of this funding, to be determined. It is planned that the Review will be completed in line with the summer 2025 timeline set out in the Programme for Government.

Regarding the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), my colleague Jack Chambers TD, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation has overall responsibility for EU Cohesion Policy and primary responsibility for the ERDF in Ireland.

Following discussions with Minister Chambers’ Department, I understand that the allocation of funds for sectoral programmes under the EU Cohesion Policy, including the ERDF, is subject to a period of negotiations between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU – representing the EU member states - under the EU’s long-term budget - the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

Negotiations on the post-2027 MFF will formally commence in the coming months (proposals are anticipated in July / August) and will be subject to a series of interactions between the EU and member states in consultation with regional bodies, that will inform the design and implementation of programmes. Given that the government is awaiting the Commission’s proposals on the future EU budget, it is not possible to at this stage in the process to determine the future structure and funding allocation to Irish regions for the ERDF in the next 2028-2035 programming period.

Any further queries in relation to the ERDF can be addressed to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation.