Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
947. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total funding allocated and drawn down under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in each year since the establishment of the fund; the corresponding amount allocated and drawn down in each local authority area, in each year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47833/26]
View answer948. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding approved and drawn down under the rural regeneration and development fund for each project since the establishment of the fund (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47834/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 947 and 948 together.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major capital investment programme, which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.
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. As a general rule, the RRDF will provide up to 80% of the total project costs, with at least 20% to be provided in matching contributions by the applicants. For counties in the North-West Region, this matching requirement has been reduced to 10%.
RRDF grant payments are made to the designated Lead Body over the lifetime of the project. The Department makes this funding available on the basis of actual expenditure incurred at project level, and claimed thereafter by the Lead Body. To date, the RRDF has allocated over €610 million for 270 projects across Ireland. My officials continue to engage proactively with Lead Bodies in relation to maximising drawdown over the course of these multi-annual projects, and substantial further claims are expected over the coming months.
The details requested by the Deputy regarding funding linked to projects in each county is set out in the attached table.
It should be noted that projects which emerge as successful from calls for applications to the RRDF are initially approved for funding in principle. In line with the Infrastructure Guidelines for capital projects, they then progress through a further comprehensive approval process before the final confirmation of funding is provided by my Department post the ‘main tender for works’. At each stage of this approval process, the project is reviewed by my Department to ensure it continues to meet its stated objectives, including financial sustainability.
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.
