Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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995. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a rural regeneration and development fund (RRDF) application (details supplied) will be expedited; when he expects to announce the RRDF funding allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51465/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (or the 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 €593 million for 243 projects across Ireland.

A 4th Call for Category 2 applications was launched in October 2024. Typically projects deemed successful under Category 2 can access funding of up to €1m per project to cover the initial costs of planning, design and technical works for later large scale development. The closing date for applications under this Call was the 14th of March.

The type of projects supported by the Fund, and the level of investment likely to be considered, is large-scale and ambitious in nature. As such, each application received must be given appropriate time for consideration and appraisal in line with the requirements of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform’s Infrastructure Guidelines.

I can confirm that an application in respect of the project referenced by the Deputy has been received. The assessment process for applications received under this Call is nearing completion and I expect that an announcement of successful projects will be made in the near future. I remain committed to ensuring that the RRDF can continue to support high quality and ambitious projects across rural Ireland.