Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
1392. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the up-to-date position with a construction project in County Kildare (details supplied); the expected opening date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2489/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a strategic capital investment fund that is key to the delivery of Ireland's rural development policy, Our Rural Future. RRDF funding is made available under two categories. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place, and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
Kildare County Council is the lead partner for the Athy Food, Drink and Skills Innovation Hub. The project was allocated Category 2 RRDF funding of c. €312,000 in 2020 to develop plans for the restoration and redevelopment of Athy Model School, a protected structure.
Subsequently, further funding of just over €5.1 million was allocated in 2022 under RRDF Category 1 to substantially deliver the state of the art Food, Drink and Skills Innovation Hub that will provide a dedicated space for enterprise development, job creation and training in the region.
Kildare County Council has advised that construction works on the Food, Drink, & Skills Innovation Hub project is currently on schedule as per the procured Contractors construction programme. The Council project that the substantial completion date of the construction project will be September 2025.
My officials will continue to engage with the County Council as to progress on the project.
