Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
461. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of category one RRDF projects which have been announced to date; the number of these projects which have been fully completed; the steps the Minister is taking to expedite delivery of large capital projects in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73099/25]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural area. RRDF Category One relates to large scale capital works projects and, to date, 139 Category One projects have received Approval in Principle with the latest approvals announced in May 2024.
The significant majority of RRDF projects are delivered by our local authorities though application to the RRDF is open to other non-commercial State bodies and local development companies. Details of all allocations made under RRDF, together with project information, can be found on the Department’s website. Experience to date indicated that the typical lifecycle of RRDF projects, as large-scale infrastructure projects, typically ranges between 3 and 5 years.
I can confirm that 56 Category One projects have now been completed. The lead bodies for RRDF projects are deemed a Sponsoring Agency’ and are subject to the requirements related to Public Spending Code detailed in the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Deliver and Reform’s ‘Infrastructure Guidelines’. As such, the Sponsoring Agency has the responsibility for evaluation, planning and managing these public investment projects within the parameters of the Guidelines. This includes, for example, preparing the initial business case, project design and pre-tender works, procurement of a main contractor, monitoring and managing the implementation stage and reviewing project delivery.
Both I, and my officials, are in ongoing engagement with local authorities and others to ensure that capital projects funded by the Department continue to be delivered in a timely manner. In the Department’s role as Approving Authority, I can confirm my officials work in an ongoing basis with lead bodies on RRDF project across the country to ensure compliance with the Infrastructure Guidelines and manage capital budgets.
In addition to this, and to help bring a more strategic approach to capital project delivery, my department, in consultation with the County and City Management Association (CCMA), has established Capital Delivery Teams in local authorities. This initiative provides each of the 28 local authorities that are eligible for rural development funding with with support for the costs of staff that form a Capital Delivery Team dedicated exclusively to delivering the Department’s funded capital projects including RRDF. These teams will focus on improving the delivery of existing projects, generating an enhanced pipeline of new projects for the Department’s schemes, and enhancing communication between local authorities, communities and the Department.
In addition to these supports, my Department is engaging with the CCMA through an Advisory Group that provides strategic guidance, addresses any issues that may arise and shares best practice approached to capital projects delivery including through national events for the sector. 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 and the Town Centre First policy. To this end, I can confirm that it is my intention to launch a Call for Proposals for larger scale Category One projects in the near future.
