Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
30. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his plans to prioritise funding for fast-expanding rural towns where population growth is outpacing community infrastructure (details supplied); the way in which he will ensure these communities can access supports proportional to their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21843/26]
View answerMy department has a number of schemes under the Rural Development Investment Programme, including the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), the LEADER Programme, the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS).
Responsibility for identifying and selecting local priorities and submitting applications in response to departmental ‘Calls for Proposals’ is delegated to our project partners. This includes our local authorities, Local Development Companies and Local Action Groups who each work closely with local communities and businesses to develop proposals to respond to the needs of our rural towns and villages.
In providing for a transparent and equitable treatment of proposals made, the assessment and approval of projects will have regard to a number of factors including demonstrated need, alignment with Our Rural Future, Town Centre First plans, other Department priorities, available funding, geographic spread, the range, mix, quality and impact of proposed projects.
Administered by my department, the RRDF is a major capital investment scheme which supports large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas in line with the Town Centre First Policy. The focus of the RRDF is on our rural towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000 people.To date, the RRDF has allocated over €614 million for 273 projects across Ireland. Each RRDF Call for Proposals has a defined set of objectives and criteria, which are reviewed in advance of each Call, and includes qualifying criteria relating to population, based on 2022 census. There is currently a Category 1 call for applications open, with a closing date of 28 July.
It should be noted that the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund, formerly known as the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This acts as a parallel fund to the RRDF and is established to support the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns with populations of over 9,000. Call for proposals was announced in March under this Fund, with a closing date of 1 May.
The current LEADER programme covers the period from 2023 to 2027. The total amount of funding allocated to LEADER for the 2023-2027 programme is €180 million. When taken together with the €70 million for the Transitional LEADER programme for the years 2021 and 2022, it maintains the level of funding at €250 million for the 7-year period, in line with the previous 2014-2020 LEADER programme. It provides support to rural communities under a broad range of themes, including Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion, and has for many years supported community facilities once they are compatible with the Operating Rules and the Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area. To date, Local Action Groups nationwide have approved LEADER grant aid to over 1000 projects, with 387 of these projects, valued at over €20 million, approved under the theme of Rural Infrastructure & Social Inclusion.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) is one of my department’s schemes to support the revitalisation of rural towns and villages across Ireland. While it primarily targets funding at areas with populations of less than 10,000 people, applications for towns with populations of up to 15,000 people are also accepted where the project is of a high quality, displays good value for money and has the potential to significantly benefit the town. Scheme priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to support vibrant and attractive communities and to respond to changing needs and opportunities. The details of the next iteration of TVRS are currently being developed and I expect to announce a Call for Proposals later this year.
In addition, my department is also supporting expanding communities to develop and enhance their community centres through the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF), the latest iteration of which was announced today, Thursday 26 March.
I am committed to ensuring that my Department will 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.
