Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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129. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his funding plans, such as the previous urban regeneration and development fund, to support local authorities in developing amenities where there have been significant housing developments to ensure it’s not just about delivering housing but communities that families can thrive (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65811/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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A flagship element of Project Ireland 2040, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is supporting a programme of significant transformational capital projects that will contribute to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan.

To date, there have been three rounds of funding provided under the URDF which has resulted in the allocation of approximately €1.9 billion of funding, with URDF supported projects now active in every local authority area in the country.

Under Calls 1 and 2 there were 132 proposals, comprising of more than 400 individual projects, approved for funding. While €1.72 billion under Call 1 and 2 was allocated to support specific regeneration projects, the latest round of funding (Call 3) is supporting a programme of acquisitions in each local authority to address long term vacancy and dereliction.

In line with the agreed Programme for Government, and as set out in Delivering Homes Building Communities, the initial €2 billion allocation to the URDF has been extended by a further €500 million to 2030 under the updated NDP. Working alongside other funding streams, this additional funding will expand URDF-type investments to provide broader public investment, including in social and community facilities to support regeneration and the development of sustainable communities.

The detailed arrangements for the implementation of this additional funding stream is currently under development following the completion of the National Development Plan Review process. Further details should issue to the local authorities in the coming weeks.

My Department will work closely with local authorities in respect of project development under the URDF. However, responsibility for the composition of any applications for funding and their advancement through the various stages of planning, development and completion will be, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant local authority, in this case Kildare County Council.