Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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3445. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the date on which his Department received a request from Louth County Council to approve the appointment of a contractor to carry out works to Ardee Castle, County Louth, provided for under grant funding allocated to the Council under the RRDF stream; when the approval will be provided to the council to appoint the contractor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41337/25]

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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3471. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for an update on his Department's approval for the regeneration of Ardee Castle, County Louth; if there are approvals pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42887/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 3445 and 3471 together.

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) supports the development and construction of large-scale capital projects designed to support the regeneration of towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland. Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects.

I can confirm that in July 2019, Louth County Council was granted Approval in Principle for Category 1 RRDF funding up to a maximum amount of €2.147 million for the Ardee Castle project.

Louth County Council originally applied to my Department on the On 30 April 2025 for Approval to Proceed to construction, as is required Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery, and Reform’s ‘Infrastructure Guidelines’. . This application identified a significant increase in project costs over and above those for which funding Approval in Principle was provided in 2019. The Council confirmed to my officials that, notwithstanding an extensive value engineering exercise it has undertaken, there has been an increase in projected project costs, primarily due to inflation. The Council subsequently requested consideration be given to a RRDF funding increase above the Approval in Principle amount. My officials have been engaging with the Council in relation to this request, including undertaking a site visit to the project by the Department’s technical staff. This is in line with the standard procedures for managing the funding of projects under the RRDF, and my Department's role in ensuring value for money in the expenditure of public funds. This review process is now reaching a conclusion and I anticipate a decision will be issued to Louth County Council shortly.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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3446. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to strongly support an RRDF category 2 application in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41434/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Calls for applications 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. The closing date for applications under this Call was the 14th of March, 2025.

I can confirm that an application in respect of the project referred to has been received. The assessment process for the applications received under this 4th Call, which is undertaken on a competitive basis, is ongoing. Following the assessment of applications, it is expected an announcement regarding successful projects will be made in the coming weeks.

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.

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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3454. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will support the ringfencing of funding for rural development within the overall EU budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41678/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) critically supports the economic, social and environmental performance of rural Ireland and the development of the post 2027 CAP is therefore a matter of significant importance to my Department.

As part of the CAP and MFF negotiations progress, Ireland has and will continue to advocate for a well funded and ring-fenced EU funding programme that supports farm resilience, environmental ambition, and rural development measures, such as the LEADER programme.

Since its inception in 1991, the LEADER programme has empowered bottom-up, community-led rural development. It has supported thousands of local projects, revitalised our rural communities and supported jobs and services across rural Ireland. I am committed to ensuring that the LEADER programme remains a core element of the new CAP framework.

My Department will work closely with colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as part of the development of the post 2027 CAP, and in respect of the future LEADER programme.