Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 January 2026
233. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to expedite, and give a detailed progress report in respect of, the rural regeneration scheme for Cahersiveen town in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6805/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 focus of the RRDF is on rural towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000 people.
Responsibility for the management, procurement and delivery of RRDF projects rests with designated ‘Lead Bodies'. This includes Kerry County Council, which has been allocated over €8.5m in respect of two linked RRDF projects in Caherciveen.
In 2022, the Caherciveen Town Regeneration Project (Phase 1) was awarded Category 2 RRDF funding of €2.056m. Kerry County Council has advised of the following progress on this project;
• planning approval is now in place and detailed design has been completed for the conservation, renovation and extension of the Carnegie Community Building.
• planning is approved and detailed design is ongoing for the enhancement of the Fair Green amenity and introduction of a one-way system for greater connectivity to the town centre.
• planning approval is now in place and detailed design is completed for the development of a waterfront amenity and board walk.
• Land has been acquired to develop a boardwalk and car & bus parking and a council depot has been relocated.
In 2024, having secured planning and with detailed designs substantially complete, Phase 2 of the Caherciveen Town Regeneration Project was allocated Category 1 RRDF funding of €6.46m. Kerry County Council has advised of the following progress on this project;
• Construction tenders have been received for the conservation, renovation and extension of the Carnegie Community Building and a tender report was recently submitted to my department for assessment and seeking approval to proceed to construction. A decision on this request is anticipated shortly.
• Tenders will be published shortly for the development of a waterfront amenity and board walk from the South Kerry Greenway to the marina along the Fertha River. This element will commence construction following the tender process.
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.
